Norwich City have had a challenging few years as they prepare for their fifth consecutive season in the Championship.

While no team has a divine right to win promotion, the Canaries have been up and down from the top division in recent years, so fans have naturally been upset that they haven’t truly contended since a humiliating relegation in 2022.

Norwich did make the play-offs under David Wagner, but a second-leg thrashing at Leeds United saw them exit with a whimper. During this time, Norwich has gone through various managers and made some questionable transfer decisions.

To make matters worse for the Norfolk team, while they had stalled, fierce rivals Ipswich had their best season in decades.

Norwich City has made great progress under Philippe Clement.

Kieran McKenna led the Tractor Boys from League One to the Premier League, repeating Paul Lambert’s team that won back-to-back promotions at Carrow Road.

In addition, Ipswich ended Norwich’s domination in the East Anglian derby, and their decisive win over their opponents during the run-in last season was critical to their promotion, so they completed the double over the Canaries.

So, it’s been a trying period for Norwich, but there are hints that the tide is turning as the new season begins.

Firstly, Norwich’s development under Philippe Clement has been nothing short of spectacular.

The former Rangers manager took over a club that was in disarray and on the verge of relegation. But Clement soon left his stamp on the squad, and they responded by scoring 56 points in 31 games, the kind of form that would have them competing for promotion over the course of a season.

Furthermore, Norwich’s transfer record has significantly improved over the last two windows. Jovon Makama and Mo Toure appear to be inspired signings, while Ali Ahmed also impressed.

Naturally, there will be hope that with a complete pre-season, Clement will propel Norwich to even higher heights, so they will enter the new season full of optimism.

Norwich City will enjoy their prospects of surpassing Ipswich under Philippe Clement.

Meanwhile, despite promotion, Ipswich’s future is unknown, as McKenna has quit after five tremendously successful years at Portman Road.

As previously said, the former Manchester United coach guided Ipswich from League One to the Premier League, and while they were relegated in 2024/25, he has kept them in the top level.

Of course, Ipswich will believe they have the system in place to deal with McKenna’s departure, but he was a manager who wielded enormous power within the club.

McKenna was not just a clever tactician, but he also had the capacity to improve individuals, as several players from the third tier stayed to assist Ipswich win promotion to the Premier League.

He also had the supporters’ full support, which may not be the case for the incoming manager, who will have to show himself right away in the world’s hardest league.

Obviously, Norwich and Ipswich will focus on themselves heading into the new season, but the nature of the rivalry means they will always want to be the top dogs in the area.

The Canaries were the dominant side for a decade, until McKenna’s arrival propelled Ipswich to the top.

The Northern Irishman’s departure, along with the influence Clement has had, leads Norwich to feel that not only are they in for better days under the Belgian, but they will also be able to reestablish themselves as the best team in the region in the near future.