Alan Irvine gets the backing of his old West Bromwich Albion charge Graham Dorrans to hang around beyond the summer, after lifting the Canaries squad following Alex Neil’s sacking

Irvine has been in temporary charge at Carrow Road since Alex Neil was sacked last month, leading City to three wins from his seven games at the helm.

New sporting director Stuart Webber has since confirmed Irvine would not be considered for the club's permanent head coach role – however, a coaching position could work beyond the current campaign.

'For me, it's been great under Alan,' said Dorrans. 'I had him as my manager while I was at West Bromwich Albion and I really enjoyed my time with him. So when he came here at the start of the season (as first-team coach) I was delighted.

'His knowledge of football that he brings to the boys in the training ground, and in difficult circumstances with the manager leaving a few weeks ago… Alan has come in and done a great job.

Alan Irvine (right) during his time as interim head coach at Norwich City, alongside Frankie McAvoy. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: �Focus Images Limited www.focus-images.co.uk +447814 482222)

'He has lifted the lads, the intensity in training has been really high. I've got huge praise for Alan and Dean (Kiely, goalkeeping and set-piece coach) who have come in and done a great job for us.

'Alan has had criticism, but he gave us a lift in training when he came in. It's difficult with the games and the results we've had, but that is down to the players. We'll take that on the chin – it's the players who go out there and perform.

'But I think almost all the players owe Alan and they would all say the same thing, that he's been fantastic since he stepped in.'

City's future beyond the summer is not just a case of who will be coaching the players – but who those players will be. Dorrans hopes he will be one of them.

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'I've got two years left on my contract and nobody's told me otherwise,' he smiled. 'I've not enjoyed this season because I've been injured and we are where we are, but I've enjoyed being at this football club. I've enjoyed living in Norwich. The people here are great, the coaches, I've really enjoyed coming into work every day.

'People in there have got contracts so it's up to the people that come in, the new sporting director, the new head coach whenever he comes in. They will have decisions to make and players they want to keep, players they will want to go.

'Until they come and speak to those boys, the lads in there will keep getting on with the job.

'I think everyone in there wants to be part of it. Everyone wants to do well. Nobody sets out to be where we are. We set out at the start of the season to achieve our goals and we've not got there.

'There are new people coming into the club and that's part of the game, so we'll see what their plan is over the summer.'

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