Norwich City skipper Kenny McLean has offered his opinion on how the Canaries might fare in the Championship next season.

The Carrow Road club had a dismal start to the 2024/25 season under former manager Liam Manning, who was sacked in November.

Manning’s departure left the Canaries second-bottom in the Championship after seven consecutive home defeats.

However, the 40-year-old’s successor, Philippe Clement, has been a revelation, as Norwich finished ninth in the second division, eight points behind the play-off places.

Norwich City captain Kenny McLean admits 2026/27 success

Norwich secured a Championship play-off spot after a fairly successful 2023/24 season, and would love to repeat that accomplishment, or possibly secure automatic promotion, next season.

McLean, a Canaries stalwart, won the second-tier title with the Carrow Road club under Daniel Farke in both 2019 and 2021.

The 34-year-old remains an important role for the Norfolk club, having made 42 Championship appearances this season, scoring three goals and assisting four times.

McLean is due to represent Scotland in the World Cup this summer, but he already has one eye on helping Norwich achieve their lofty goals next season, and he believes Philippe Clement is the best man to lead the Canaries ahead.

In an interview with the Pink Un, the midfielder stated, “I’ve been fortunate enough to see the good times, to see us being successful, and I want to be part of that again.”And I believe we have the appropriate guy in charge right now who can lead us there. “We can see the best of many players now, so hopefully we continue to improve because that’s what we all want to do.”We all want to improve, and hopefully we will continue to do so. Whatever the upcoming season brings, I’m confident it will be exciting. But, you know, it’s really fantastic to have expectations restored for this football team.”

McLean finished his individual season in style, scoring from the penalty spot in Norwich’s 1-1 draw with Swansea City on April 25, a week after providing an assist in an exhilarating 4-2 win against Bristol City.

The former Aberdeen player will look to make a similar effect next month when Scotland faces Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil in the World Cup group stage.

Norwich City’s offensive combo may hold the key to their 2026/27 promotion bid.

Clement has made Norwich one of the greatest teams in the Championship since his arrival, and the Canaries have talent all over the field.

McLean is certain to play a crucial role in midfield again, and defenders like Jose Cordoba and Ruairi McConville have established their importance for the Carrow Road club.

Meanwhile, Clement’s side scored only one league goal fewer than Millwall, who finished third in the Championship, losing out on automatic promotion by one point.

With Norwich’s formidable attack in mind, their chances of achieving promotion next season, either automatically or through the play-offs, will most likely depend on the efforts of attackers Mohamed Toure and Jovon Makama.

Toure has been spectacular since joining the Canaries from Danish club Randers in the winter transfer window, scoring nine goals and assisting three times in 11 Championship matches.

Meanwhile, Makama arrived from newly crowned League One winners Lincoln City last summer and has settled into second-tier football nicely, scoring 10 goals in 28 league games.