LATEST; Andy Hughes Associates with Steve Cooper’s Foxes

Norwich City are in discussions with two Premier League clubs over the exit of first-team coach Andy Hughes, with Leicester reportedly set to secure his services.

The Canaries would be due compensation for Hughes, who has been part of their staff in various roles since 2021.

Steve Cooper was appointed by the Foxes earlier today, and the Daily Mail have stated that he’s close to making Hughes his set-piece coach.

They also claim that Brentford were targeting the former Leeds United midfielder, whose reputation in the game has grown having been a big part of David Wagner’s backroom team.

Hughes, fellow coach Narcis Pelach and goalkeeping coach Paul Clements were all kept at Carrow Road when Wagner was sacked last month, despite assistant head coach Christoph Buhler following his colleague out of the exit door.

New chief Johannes Hoff Thorup arrives with assistant Glen Riddersholm, but the trio were expected to work under the Dane ahead of the 2024-25 season

Leicester’s reported interest has thrown a spanner in the works, however, with Hughes’ likely exit leaving multiple areas unaccounted for.

He re-joined Norwich three years ago as head of loans and player pathway development, having played for the club between 2005 and 2007.

When former colleague Wagner became head coach at the start of 2023 he became part of the first-team staff, taking responsibility for set-pieces when Allan Russell departed in March the same year.

Hughes remains in charge of loans, and takes an active interest in the development of players temporarily away from the club.

He also took charge of set-pieces when he was a coach at Huddersfield Town, and helped mastermind the corner routine that earned Gabriel Sara a goal against Leicester in April.

Thorup and former Midtjylland boss Riddersholm have combined at the club’s suggestion, with the 52-year-old bringing a wealth of managerial experience alongside his young colleague.

The ex-Nordsjaelland coach is known for his development of youth players and progressive tactics, both of which it’s hoped he’ll bring to NR1.