Norwich City column: Championship season ends but questions from 12 months ago still remain

Well, there we have it, another season consigned to the history books.

A season that started with so much hope and optimism, following the arrival of Johannes Hoff Thorup, but in which Norwich City ultimately underachieved, yet again.

So much so that the Danish revolution was abruptly stopped in its tracks, with Hoff dismissed, leaving the club facing many of the same questions as 12 months ago.

Who takes charge next season? Will additions improve the squad? Can we fend off interest in key players like Josh Sargent? If not, can we sufficiently replace them?

It certainly promises to be a busy summer ahead, as Ben Knapper looks to provide adequate answers and address growing fears about his credentials as sporting director.

Those concerns have been exacerbated by the handling of the situation around the release of Angus Gunn – one of our own – who was given a fitting send off by the Carrow Road faithful against Cardiff.

As for the last game of the 2024/25 campaign, while there was precious little to play for, it was nice to go out with a win – especially given the difficulties of the last few months.

In many ways, the performance probably summed up the last nine months. Electric going forward, but exceptionally vulnerable at the back.

I don’t think he’s covered himself in glory in recent games, but it would be wrong not to celebrate the performance of Marcelino Nunez, a fine display capped with an exquisite free-kick.

Nunez is certainly among the cohort of players whose futures are up for debate, with the Chilean set to enter the final year of his contract.

A refusal to put pen to paper on a new deal will almost certainly force Knapper’s hand in terms of a potential sale, as will be the case with Borja Sainz, who finds himself in a similar situation.

Sainz, in particular, is bound to generate interest, on the back of a campaign that saw him register an impressive 18 goals and four assists.