WATFORD boss Tom Cleverley is a shock name on the Norwich shortlist to fill their managerial vacancy.
Cleverley, 35, has made a good start to his career as a gaffer after his surprise call to take charge of the Hornets last year.
The former Manchester United and England midfielder has stepped up comfortably and caught the eye of the Canaries.
Norwich could offer Cleverley a more stable environment and a long-term plan to work on.
And they may appeal if they decide he is their first choice.
Cleverley was appointed Watford boss last year and has led the Hornets to 13th in the table.
He was given a stay of execution in January after speculation the club would pull the trigger with a playoff push fizzling out.
Johannes Hoff Thorup was axed by the Canaries following a 3-1 Easter Monday defeat to Millwall.
The Dane failed to launch a promotion bid at Carrow Road with Norwich 12 points off the playoffs.
Former Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere was put in interim charge by sporting director Ben Knapper.
Wilshere admitted: “He was my first coach and he lost his job.”
“It’s never a nice feeling when that happens, and actually it was my first time experiencing it as a coach.
“We’ve had a few bad results, and you get a feeling about the atmosphere not being great and the environment.
“But listen, I was behind the manager, we were all behind the manager.
“We were all trying to help him get some results and get some performances, and then all of a sudden you get a phone call and things change really quickly.
“I got a phone call on Tuesday morning after our game on Monday, maybe at 10am.
“I made my way to the training ground and I’ve been there ever since!”
Wilshere’s side earned a point on the road at Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon.
The 0-0 stalemate put a big dent in Boro’s own playoff hopes, setting up a showdown with 6th-placed Coventry on the final day.
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