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CONFIRMED: Stone leaves City to ‘seek a new challenge’ as new management structure is revealed
Steve Stone has left his role as managing director of Norwich City .Picture: Sonya Duncan - Credit: Sonya Duncan
Norwich City have confirmed the news that Steve Stone has left his role as managing director – with a new management structure announced.
As revealed this morning, Stone's three-and-a-half years with the Canaries has come to an end after beginning indefinite leave last week and not attending Saturday's 1-0 loss to Stoke at Carrow Road.
EXCLUSIVE: Norwich City managing director set for surprise Carrow Road exit
Stone's exit was confirmed this lunchtime, with the club preparing for its annual general meeting, which is expected to be held next month.
Stone said: 'I'd like to thank everyone at Norwich City for all of their hard work and support during a testing period for the club.
'The time is now right for me to seek a new challenge, but I wish the Board, staff and supporters of this great club all the very best for this season and the seasons ahead.'
Joint majority shareholders Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones, in a statement on the club's website, added: 'We're grateful to Steve for the important role he has played in helping to stabilise the club in the challenging climate following our relegation from the Premier League in 2016.
'On behalf of the Board and everyone at Norwich City we'd like to thank Steve and wish him every success in his next venture.'
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The confirmation was followed by an announcement that Stuart Webber remains as sporting director and will continue to oversee the club's football department.
Stone's former responsibilities will be absorbed by chief operating officer Ben Kensell and business and project director – and wife of Webber – Zoe Ward, who will be joined by the sporting director to form a new executive committee who will report to the board of directors
A further statement from Delia and Michael added: 'It has always been part of our vision for the club to create a dynamic team both on and off the pitch – and with the talented and dedicated managers and staff we have, we feel strongly that shared leadership is now the best way forward to achieve this.'
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Stone was appointed managing director in March 2017 as part of a restructure which brought Webber in as sporting director and the duo have lead the club's cost cutting to survive financially following the conclusion of Premier League parachute payments last season.
That included selling James Maddison and Josh Murphy for in excess of £30million this summer to steady the ship.
