Paul Lambert has shared his one major Norwich City regret - that he didn't leave the club sooner.
The Scot achieved double promotions from League One to the Premier League and a 12th-placed top-flight finish in his hugely successful three-year managerial spell at Carrow Road before departing to join Aston Villa in June 2012.
His exit caused plenty of controversy at the time, but when asked if he held any regrets, Lambert said he should have departed after they had achieved promotion to the Premier League after 'growing tired' of the role.
"There is a perception of me leaving there, but I should have left when we got promoted from the Championship to the Premier League because I was tired of it. For my own sake, that is when I should have left.
"I wasn't enjoying it at that time, but someone said to me, 'Why don't you go to the Premier League and see what it is like?' But I never enjoyed that last year," Lambert exclusively told the Pink Un via Betway.
"I should have done it and looked from afar, but the lads made it enjoyable. I didn't enjoy what I was involved in, and that is when I should have left."
Lambert has become a divisive figure, having crossed the divide to manage Ipswich and further tainting his relationship with the City fanbase.
Many feel that is a shame, given his extensive list of achievements as Norwich boss, but the man himself isn't phased by City supporters' perception of him and makes no apologies for anything that has happened since his exit from the club.
"I'm very strong-minded and very strong-headed. It doesn't bother me what they think of me because I'll never be back in that area again, and I'll never be there again," the former City boss said.
"I did my best for them when I was there, but being a footballer and a sportsman, I'm very driven to try and get success. I gave them everything I had.
"People ask me, 'What do I think about Norwich?' - I had a nice time there with a great group of guys who were great.
"Delia was brilliant. [Her], Michael Wynn Jones and Michael Foulger were great and I cannot thank them enough for it. I've only ever been back once and that was for Delia's birthday. I've never been invited back and I never think about it, to be honest with you."
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