Norwich City Reject Paul Lambert's Resignation

Norwich City's form in the Premier League was far beyond expectations last season, but now they're paying a price - richer clubs trying to snap up all of their favourite toys. Their shiniest toy, of course, is manager Paul Lambert, and with Aston Villa in need of a new boss after sacking the execrable Alex McLeish the Birmingham side are sniffing around him pretty heavily. So heavily, in fact, that Lambert has already offered up his resignation from the Canaries.

The club rejected that resignation in a statement that reads more like a goodbye letter than anything else:

The Club regrets to confirm that Paul Lambert has offered his resignation from his position as Norwich City Manager.

We have fought hard to keep Paul at Norwich City and have not accepted his resignation whilst discussions with another club are taking place.

However, whatever happens, we want to place on record our sincere gratitude for everything Paul has done for the Club over the last three fantastic seasons.

...

Discussions with Paul throughout the last few days have been professional and amicable. Paul has already earned his place in Norwich City Football Club history and, no matter what happens, will always have a friendly welcome at Carrow Road.

Presumably at this point Norwich are simply holding out for compensation from Villa, at which point Lambert (an excellent choice) will be announced as the man to turn around his new club's struggling fortunes. Norwich, meanwhile, will be left like Swansea City - a newly-promoted side that has to replace their manager as a result of exceeding expectations.