Lambert: I was never leaving

Manager Paul Lambert says it never crossed his mind to leave newly-promoted Norwich City.

After signing a new contract at Carrow Road to end speculation over his future, the Scottish manager can focus on a summer recruitment drive to help the Canaries stay in the Barclays Premier League.
Lambert guided the Norfolk club back to the top flight for the first time since 2005 after securing back-to-back promotions, having taken charge in August 2009 with the Canaries near the foot of League One.
The 41-year-old Scot attracted an official approach from Burnley earlier in the season and had emerged as a reported target for managerless West Ham United.

While discussions with the board over improvements to his rolling 12-month deal and those of his backroom staff Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa were lengthy, the former Wycombe Wanderers and Colchester United boss insists walking away from Carrow Road was never on the agenda.
"It was never a monetary thing whatsoever. I never wanted to leave the club," Lambert told the club's official website.
"There never was speculation because it was never me who was generating it. I never once thought about leaving.
"We came here together and we have never indicated we wanted to leave at all.
"I have loved the two years I have been here, we have had paramount success, which has just kept on going.
"I am glad it is sorted for the three of us and now we can try our best to get players in."
Lambert has been promised all of the £37m windfall from television income to help strengthen the squad as the Canaries look to avoid a swift return to the Championship.
Norwich have been linked with Leeds United duo Robert Snodgrass and Bradley Johnson, Newcastle United keeper Fraser Foster, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Carrow Road in the League One campaign, and Manchester United's Belgian defender Ritchie De Laet.
Veteran striker Miroslav Klose, out of contract at Bayern Munich, is another said to be on Lambert's radar, the former Scotland midfielder maintaining close ties in Germany from his time with Borussia Dortmund, with whom he won the 1997 Champions League.

Norwich boss Lambert continued: "It is not going to be easy, but we have to try to give the current group a hand.
"We want to try and make this club the best it can possibly be.
"We will try and do everything we can to get a foothold in the Premier League and to enjoy it.
"However, the only way you are going to do that is by picking up results."
Norwich chairman Alan Bowkett expressed the board's delight to have tied Lambert down on new terms.
"What Paul, his staff and the players have helped the club to achieve since he joined us has been absolutely incredible," Bowkett said.
"Therefore after protracted and professional negotiations, we are thrilled to report we have a new deal.
"We have always said our aim was to make Norwich City an established Premier League club and we will be doing everything in our power to support Paul as he works with us towards that goal."
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