Norwich City was too good a chance to turn down, says Dean Kiely

Norwich City's new goalkeeping coach Dean Kiely admits it was too good a chance to turn down working with the likes of John Ruddy and Declan Rudd.

Kiely has replaced Tony Parks, who left last month to link up with Aston Villa, and City boss Alex Neil wasted no time in installing the 44-year-old former West Brom, Charlton and Republic of Ireland keeper.

'It's something I wanted to commit to and become involved in, so I jumped at the chance,' he said, after leaving West Brom's backroom set-up in January. 'It was quite an easy sell to me because as an opposing player it always seemed like a really good place to work. Everyone knows where the club should be, and I agree, so it's nice to have a project.

'You're made to feel welcome, and I like that sort of atmosphere so it suits me down to the ground. There's a good feeling at the training ground, with everyone working hard to pull in the same direction.'

Kiely's first game working with City's goalkeeping stocks was the comeback Championship 2-1 win at Blackburn.

'I've really enjoyed working with the group,' he told the club's official site. 'They all work extremely hard, but also know when to let off steam so get the balance right in that respect. It's for me to set that tone around training, and to give a pathway for the young lads coming through.

'I said to all the goalkeepers from day one that it wasn't about me. I'm just here to create an environment which facilitates them to be the best they can be. They want to get better, and I like to think I've got the pedigree as a player and a coach to help them achieve that.'