Celtic's title-winning manager Neil Lennon is another of the new breed who had been touted as a replacement for Lambert in Norfolk.

McNally dismissed reports of a move for the Bhoys' boss prior to the weekend, and now former Canaries' player-of-the-year Kevin Drinkell believes Lennon would reject any overtures to head south.

'The Norwich job would not be an improvement on the one Neil is in at Celtic. Sure, he would have been managing in the Premier League and that's a positive,' said Drinkell.

'The downside? His budget would not have been nearly the same as others in the league and even clubs such as Wigan and Swansea will have more money to spend.

'Neil would have struggled to build on the foothold Paul has established and is that really the type of job that would attract him?

'Listen, Norwich is a wonderful club with passionate supporters but it's a place where young, up-and-coming managers such as Paul go to build their careers. It's similar to Cardiff, Wigan and Swansea where Malky Mackay, Roberto Martinez and Brendan Rodgers have established their reputations.

'Neil may have fitted into that category but he is already doing it all at a big club, Celtic. Paul has used Norwich as a stepping stone but I'm not convinced Neil has to follow a similar route before landing a really big job in England.'