Frank Lampard rejects Norwich City job offer

Dean Smith is now the leading candidate

Frank Lampard has turned down the chance to manage Norwich City, according to The Times' Henry Winter. The former Chelsea player and manager had been considered the frontrunner for the job after leaving Chelsea almost a year ago, following the sacking of Daniel Farke. Farke was dismissed after Norwich's first win of the season last weekend, when they beat Brentford 2-1. The Canaries are currently bottom of the Premier League with just five points from their first 11 games, and with fellow relegation battlers Newcastle having just appointed Eddie Howe - who will have money to spend in January - Norwich will need to get this appointment right if they have any chance of staying in the division. In that sense, they may have dodged a bullet in Frank Lampard, who does not yet have any experience of fighting relegation as a manager, as much as he may have tried during his time at Chelsea. Dean Smith, who was recently sacked by Aston Villa after a run of five straight defeats, is now the favourite to take over at Carrow Road.