Paul Lambert Quits Canaries - Reports

It`s been reported overnight that Paul Lambert has resigned as Norwich City manager.

Although it is understood Lambert`s representatives met with Aston Villa informally some time ago, an official approach wasn`t forthcoming until yesterday.

After seemingly being refused permission to talk to Randy Lerner and Paul Faulkner (Owner and CEO at Aston Villa respectively), Lambert is alleged to have walked out of the club.

With most of Norfolk waking up to the news, it`s surely only a matter of time before there is an official statement from the club.

The key issue is said to be a huge disagreement over the playing budget for next season, with McNally allegedly wanting to stick rigidly to the planned budget for the 2nd season in the top flight, with a view to aiming for 17th again, and Lambert wanting to increase the budget with a view to aiming much higher up the league.

The disagreement has been simmering in the background, but has now come to a head after Liverpool appointed Brendan Rodgers and simultaneously Aston Villa turning their attentions to our very own Paul Lambert.

David McNally helped save the club from financial ruin when he took over in 2009, and with Lambert as manager the club has totally turned around. However with a reported average wage bill of £10-12k per week, compared to a club like Bolton paying an average of £30k per week, there was perhaps always going to become a crunch point when working with such an ambitious young manager.

History is littered with failed examples of smaller clubs that have tried to be more flexible on wages and transfer fees, but it is the long term future of the club that must come first. We do not want to go the way of a Portsmouth, Leeds United or dare I say Bradford City.

However, Lambert would be a devastating loss for the club and it would require a careful, but swift replacement.

Let`s hope there was a plan B...

OTBC