2Y7XT4F Norwich, UK. 01st Oct, 2024. Oscar Schwartau of Norwich City acknowledges the fans after the teams draw following the Sky Bet Championship match Norwich City vs Leeds United at Carrow Road, Norwich, United Kingdom, 1st October 2024 (Photo by Izzy Poles/News Images) in Norwich, United Kingdom on 10/1/2024. (Photo by Izzy Poles/News Images/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa USA/Alamy Live News
Johannes Hoff Thorup on summer plan, Attanasio
A relationship with owner Mark Attanasio is key for Johannes Hoff Thorup as Norwich City prepare for another busy summer.
“Of course with transfers, all of us know that it will probably be a busy summer again, both in and out,” he said ahead of tomorrow’s game against West Brom. “The best way to work is when there’s alignment from top to bottom.
“When everyone knows which direction we have to go in and you have a clear strategy, you always take decisions based on that strategy. You don’t have to see everything as an individual case.
“You can say: ‘No, we’ve decided that we want to go in this direction, so the decision’s going to be this.’ It’s so much more easy in many ways.
“Mark’s story with the Milwaukee Brewers is fascinating, what they did to that franchise. It’s a little similar to what we’re trying to do here in some ways. We have a good ownership here, with a good understanding of what the strategy is.”
The 36-year-old last met with Attanasio during the international break, when he, Knapper, executive director Zoe Webber and finance director Anthony Richens flew to the USA.
Thorup was pleased with the results of that trip, which helped set the course for City’s long-term project.
“It was a trip that was planned a couple of months ago to make sure that we took the time when we have the time to sit down together and talk about the strategy,” he continued.
“So that was time well spent, and I think it was a good trip in many ways. I learned a little bit about baseball, which I had absolutely no understanding of before I went there. Now I think I have probably a 5pc understanding!
“It’s often so much better just to sit together and talk about things, talk about what we do for now, plans for the summer and the long-term perspective. We made sure that we’re working in the same direction.”
