Derby day is back! Here’s how Town and Norwich are shaping up this summer…

Ipswich Town & Norwich City: East Anglian Rivals Face Diverging Challenges Ahead of the 2025/26 Season

🐎 Ipswich Town: Eyes on an Immediate Return

A Season of Reflection, Not Ruin
After 22 years away, Ipswich Town’s long-awaited return to the Premier League was full of emotion and momentum. But the top flight quickly exposed the gulf in quality, with injuries and elite opposition proving too much. Relegation stung, but the atmosphere around Portman Road remains positive.

Now back in the Championship, Town are well-placed to bounce back—financially stable thanks to parachute payments, united on and off the pitch, and with one of the division’s strongest squads. Supporters are embracing the opportunity to be a heavyweight in the second tier.

The Boss: Kieran McKenna
McKenna was the centre of 2024’s managerial merry-go-round, attracting interest from Premier League giants before committing to Ipswich. While relegation has dented his reputation slightly, it may help Town retain their biggest asset. Fans remain fully behind him, recognising his leadership, tactical intelligence, and culture-building as key to the club’s resurgence.

Linked with Brentford recently, McKenna is still seen as the man to deliver a third promotion in four years.

Squad Strength & Strategy
Despite the exit of Liam Delap and club stalwarts like Luongo and Burgess, the squad is stacked with proven Championship performers: Alex Palmer, Leif Davis, Jacob Greaves, Dara O’Shea, Sam Morsy, Jack Clarke, Jaden Philogene, Sammie Szmodics, and Conor Chaplin.

While Omari Hutchinson is drawing top-tier interest, a £35m release clause offers protection. O’Shea has signed a new five-year deal, and most of the squad remains intact.

Mark Ashton has hinted at a quieter window after a £100m summer spree last year, but key holes must still be filled.

Summer Priorities

Defence: Axel Tuanzebe, so impressive at right back, has joined Burnley. A replacement is needed.

Midfield: Cajuste impressed on loan from Napoli, and there’s a £10m option to buy, but injury concerns complicate the decision.

Attack: At least one, preferably two, new strikers are needed to replace Delap. George Hirst is expected to lead the line.

Engine Room: With Morsy turning 34, reinforcements are required. Cameron Humphreys and Jack Taylor aren’t enough alone.


Expectations
Town are widely tipped as title favourites and are expected to return to winning ways immediately. The big question is whether they can handle the weight of expectation and recapture the relentlessness that powered their past two promotions. A strong start could set the tone—while a slow one could stir doubts.

🟡 Norwich City: Rebuilding Again, But With Caution

Lingering Frustration, Glimpses of Hope
Another season, another rebuild. After last year’s underwhelming campaign and the failure of Johannes Hoff Thorup’s tenure, Norwich fans have been left feeling a familiar sense of frustration. Jack Wilshere’s name being in the frame only added to concerns about the club’s direction.

But sporting director Ben Knapper has moved quickly and decisively. Securing Liam Manning from Bristol City was a coup, as was beating competition to sign Swansea centre-back Harry Darling. Up to six new signings could arrive before July.

There’s cautious optimism, but Norwich remain in search of on-pitch inspiration—something they’ve sorely lacked since their Premier League relegation in 2021.

The Boss: Liam Manning
Manning, a Norwich native with Ipswich links, has impressed in his previous roles at Lommel, Oxford, MK Dons, and Bristol City. While his appointment excited many fans, the pressure is on him to deliver consistent performances and restore direction.

With Thorup’s reign offering lessons in what not to do, Manning must blend pragmatism with Championship know-how to spark a turnaround.

Squad Status & Concerns
There’s plenty of talent, but also a lot of uncertainty. Key men Josh Sargent and Borja Sainz are expected to leave. Sargent’s 44 goals in 98 Championship games would be a huge loss. Sainz is also attracting interest from clubs like Porto, Napoli, and Athletic Bilbao.

New signings like Vladan Kovacevic (goalkeeper), Grimshaw, Moulden, Darling, and Jakov Medic add depth—especially to a backline that leaked 68 goals last season. Promising young players like Forson, Crnac, Jurasek, and Mahovo must now make the leap.

But the squad still needs balance—particularly in midfield and out wide.

Key Summer Jobs

Hold or replace Sargent and Sainz. Losing both without adequate replacements would be damaging.

Add experience. Last summer’s average age of 21 won’t cut it alone—proven quality must arrive.

Trim the fat. Players like Shane Duffy and Kenny McLean could be moved on to streamline the squad.

New signings. A defensive midfielder and at least one winger remain priorities.


Expectations
After three seasons of Championship mediocrity, the expectation—official or not—is promotion. But confusion over targets last season ultimately led to Thorup’s dismissal. This time, Knapper and Manning need to bring clarity and upward momentum.

Whether Norwich can finally turn potential into results remains to be seen.

🔁 East Anglian Verdict

Ipswich are strong favourites for promotion, with a cohesive squad and an elite coach.

Norwich are in the middle of a well-intentioned but uncertain rebuild, hoping Manning can provide much-needed stability.


2025/26 could be another fascinating chapter in East Anglia’s footballing rivalry.