"Been smashed" - Simon Jordan reacts to big Norwich City, David Wagner news | OneFootball

Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan says he is not surprised by Norwich City's decision to sack head coach David Wagner.

Norwich made a poor start to the season, and they sat as low as 17th in the table in early November, with many supporters calling for Wagner to be dismissed.

The Canaries stuck with the German, and they were rewarded for their patience as they enjoyed an excellent second half of the season to finish sixth in the table.

Norwich drew 0-0 with Leeds United in their play-off semi-final first leg at Carrow Road on Sunday, but they were beaten 4-0 in the second leg at Elland Road on Thursday night.

Goals from Ilia Gruev, Joel Piroe, Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville sealed an emphatic win for the Whites, and in truth, the margin of the victory could have been greater.

The Canaries' play-off exit has prompted the board into action, with Wagner departing after just under 18 months in charge, and sporting director Ben Knapper says it is the right time for the club to make a change.

"David has operated with class and dignity throughout his period as Norwich City head coach, but we now feel that the time is right for us to move in a different direction," Knapper said in a statement on the club's official website.

"We remain committed to progressing our football club, in both the short and long-term, working through a diligent and thorough strategy.

"The appointment of a new head coach is an important one. We will now work and continue our due diligence with the view of making an appointment in the near future."

Jordan: Wagner sacking is not a surprise

Jordan says that he was not shocked by Wagner's sacking, and he believes that the 52-year-old's strained relationship with Norwich supporters was a factor in the decision.

"No, it doesn't surprise me because the noises that were coming out of Norwich during the course of the season were that he had a tenuous relationship, or a grasp on a decent relationship, with the Norwich fans," Jordan said on talkSPORT.

"It appeared that there were times during the course of the season where actually they might have parted ways.

"I haven't watched enough of Norwich to say that he merits that, but when you go out of the play-offs 4-0 and don't really lay a glove on the opposition, and during the season there's been lots of rumblings about the style of football and the results you've been getting, I don't suppose it's much of a surprise."

Norwich City have taken a big gamble with David Wagner sacking

It is understandable why Norwich have parted company with Wagner given the manner of their defeat to Leeds, but it does still feel like a harsh decision.

Wagner was under huge pressure earlier in the season, with many supporters calling for him to be sacked, but he inspired a remarkable turnaround to guide his side into the play-offs, and the Canaries were one of the form teams in the division in the second half of the campaign.

It would have been difficult for any team to cope with the way Leeds played on Thursday night, and there were mitigating circumstances for Wagner, with key attacking players such as Josh Sargent, Ashley Barnes and Jon Rowe all carrying injuries.

Despite the Canaries' excellent form in recent months, Wagner never fully won over the doubters among the fan base, and even though he arguably deserved the opportunity to remain in charge, it would have been tough for him to recover from the play-off defeat.

After failing to win promotion, Norwich will be vulnerable to losing the likes of Sargent, Rowe and Gabriel Sara this summer, so there could be a big rebuilding job on the cards for Wagner's successor, and the board must get the next appointment right.