Second from bottom, with eight straight home defeats and just nine points from 15 games, Carrow Road resembled little more than a broken home last November, before the Belgian’s arrival.
Even with his managerial pedigree and eye-catching CV, not even the most optimistic supporter could have foreseen the level of transformation delivered.
Since the adored Daniel Farke left in 2021, the constant conveyor belt in the Norwich dugout had made any new head coach’s words feel empty; after all, the proof is in the pudding.
But Clement, a natural communicator, was bold, brave and proven, ready to tackle the challenge head-on.
“I came in several times at clubs that were in a difficult place during a season, and in all these clubs, the results became better that season, and they ended in a better way than where they started that season,” the 52-year-old said upon his unveiling.
Norwich had nine points from 15 games when Philippe Clement was appointed in November 2025 (Image: Matthew Usher/Norwich City FC)
“That’s what I want to get also here in Norwich, but it’s not about me; it’s about the club, it’s about the players, it’s about everybody together.
“So, it’s not a story about my CV or anything; it’s about getting this club where it wants to be.”
Those words were greeted by a rapturous, sold-out away end at St Andrews just days later. Yet a 4-1 drubbing served as an early reminder that this was no quick fix.
Confronting the turmoil left in his wake, Clement set about navigating the wreckage he had inherited with determination.
A late Oxford leveller in his first home game was a bitter blow, but it only steeled his resolve to steady the ship. By his third outing, Carrow Road was alive with celebration as Norwich secured their first home victory of the season against QPR.
Philippe Clement celebrates his first win as Norwich City boss against QPR at Carrow Road (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)
Faced with a squad lacking sharpness and an injury list that showed little sign of easing, Clement wasted little time searching for excuses. His energy was channelled into solutions, gradually building cohesion across the squad.
The hand of Jovon Makama brought festive joy against Southampton, but Preston’s Will Keane was cast as the Grinch at Deepdale a week later, denying City three points at the death. Yet, beneath the twists and turns, Clement’s side continued to build momentum.
That upturn continued into 2026 with a 2-1 victory at Loftus Road, halting QPR’s bid for a fifth consecutive home win.
Josh Sargent threatened to upset the applecart, pushing for a move to Toronto and making himself unavailable for selection. Clement refused to let it take over, keeping the focus firmly on the collective.
Sargent’s outburst seemed to galvanise the group, with the Canaries rattling off seven wins in eight across all competitions, and every player at some stage sharing jubilant post-match moments with the fans.
Philippe Clement was praised for his handling of the Josh Sargent saga (Image: Daniel Hambury/Focus Images Ltd)
January arrivals strengthened the squad, while players who had barely featured under Liam Manning, including Anis Ben Slimane and Ruairi McConville, started to flourish.
By February, the mood had shifted. Instead of fearing relegation, fans were daring to dream of a play-off push, an optimism not truly felt since the Farke era, even if the reality remained unlikely.
That belief was largely built on a defensive renaissance. From mid-February to early April, Norwich went 13 league games in a row without conceding after the break, a remarkable turnaround from Manning’s 15-game stint, when the team managed just four second-half clean sheets.
Mohamed Toure’s goal-scoring exploits following his switch from Randers boosted confidence further, while fellow newbie Paris Maghoma hailed Clement as a father figure.
The East Anglian Derby defeat to Ipswich ended 20 years of unbeaten pride on Norfolk soil, yet its sting felt worlds apart from the Portman Road loss six months earlier, where the two clubs appeared to be heading in entirely opposite directions.
The Belgian has built a strong relationship with the players, staff and supporters (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)
Encouraging wins at Millwall and Bristol City, along with a home triumph over Derby, helped finish the campaign strongly, securing a ninth-place spot nobody would have turned down during the winter.
The season ended with Clement’s crop collecting 56 points from 31 games under his watch, ranking fifth in the division over that period.
Looking purely at the numbers this calendar year, City sit fourth, level on 44 points with Coventry and Millwall, separated only by goal difference. Southampton sit just four points clear on 48, though how much of that advantage was down to spying remains open to debate.
Alex Neil’s Lions were the only side to concede fewer goals over the 22-game sample, 17 to Norwich’s 20. Clement’s men, meanwhile, were unmatched for victories, with only the Saints equalling their 14.
Humble in nature, the Belgian is quick to credit his players and staff for the underlying metrics, but his tactical organisation, relentless work ethic and winning mentality have helped revolutionise the club.
From the outset, Clement commanded respect, swiftly bringing his players in line with his methods. Life at the club felt far from a holiday camp, more like a rigorous boot camp, with players rarely given more than a day off, further evidenced by the ten-day post-season programme.
Ben Knapper is tasked with adding quality to the squad this summer (Image: Daniel Hambury/Focus Images Ltd)
With Ben Knapper working alongside the Belgian on recruitment, the focus this summer must be on adding quality in key areas to fuel a top-eight push next season.
The appointment of Dr Paul Ford as performance director, guided by Clement, should also enable more decisive in-game interventions, allowing substitutions to influence matches rather than merely managing fitness and minutes.
If those elements marry up, with a culture now firmly embedded and a bit of luck along the way, there is every chance the Clement story still has plenty of happy chapters ahead.
If it does end in promotion, there is little doubt the 52-year-old’s coaching profile would attract interest further up the football pyramid.
However, with a three-year contract and a clear belief in long-term projects, there appears to be little immediate threat of him leaving Norfolk, even if money ultimately talks.
Clement is a believer, and that belief has permeated the fans. Even his son, once doubtful about the move to Norwich given the club’s position, has since become a convert, he revealed in a post-season off-the-record briefing.
But football moves fast, and it is now up to the City boss to prove that last season’s revolution was no mere flash in the pan.
