Chief executive David McNally believes there would not be much argument if Paul Lambert became Norwich City royalty after a truly memorable East Anglian derby success in Suffolk.

The Canaries humbled Ipswich Town 5-1 at Portman Road on Thursday night – the latest chapter of City's Championship return, which is threatening to be nothing more than a case of passing through to the Premier League.

City will sit second going into Easter Monday's fixtures should Cardiff fail to beat leaders Queens Park Rangers at home Saturday lunchtime – and that would be some turnaround for a side that was playing in League One last season.

Indeed, Lambert's aim for this campaign was always based on survival. Safe to say, not any more.

'Paul Lambert's efforts at Norwich City have been simply the best,' said McNally. 'You talk about supporters wanting to buy a DVD (of the 5-1 win), I think they would like him to be the king of Norwich and the king of Norfolk.

'He has transformed the playing aspects and football aspects of the club and he has done it in a manner that says all things about the man. He is a winner, he is tremendously hard working and he is focused on the job in hand.

'Yes, Paul would have said that at the start of the season and now he will be focused on the next game, which is here against Derby on Monday, and nothing else.'

City's historic five star efforts in Ipswich will live deep in the conscious of all Norwich fans, and McNally believes those supporters deserved such a memorable night – with more than 2,000 in attendance at Portman Road and another 7,000 watching at Carrow Road.

'It's always good to do the double over your rivals; it was a special night for everybody connected to the football club, but to do it in such an emphatic style was absolutely brilliant for the club and most importantly for our terrific fans, who are undoubtedly the best supporters in the land,' added McNally, who admitted City's glorious night south of the border may well get the full treatment.

'I'm sure we'll have a chat with Will Hoy (Norwich City's head of sales and marketing) to see what we are looking to do. But our fans are extraordinary. The demand for all things Norwich City when you have had a result like that is absolutely fantastic.

'We had thousands of fans at Carrow Road, we beamed the game back, and the place was absolutely rocking. It was a really good night in Norwich, as it was in Ipswich for us.'

Three games now remain of City's regular fixtures, with a spot in the Premier League next season a tangible reality.

And McNally, speaking to BBC Five Live, feels – if it does happen – City will have the wherewithal to deal with it.

'First things first, let's get there,' said the City chief. 'If and when we get to the Premier League – and we've got three huge games before we do; we have got two big games at Carrow Road against Derby and Coventry who will be tough opponents, and then we are away at Portsmouth at Fratton Park, which is always a tricky place to get any kind of result.

'They are three hard games; it's not a bad run in but if and when we are playing in the big league, then we will sit down with Paul and put together a plan that will be focused on ensuring we stay in the league, nothing else.

'But there is plenty of big football experience at the football club. Indeed, Paul Lambert has played at the very highest level and been successful at the highest level.

'But on and off the park at Carrow Road we have plenty of Premier League experience, and so our fans shouldn't worry too much about our experience in that regard.'