Andy Cook appointed head coach of Norwich City Women

The former Nottingham Forest Women boss succeeds Martin Herdman in the role and will officially take charge from July 1. 

Cook joins the Canaries from Newcastle United Women, where he served as a first-team coach under Becky Langley for the duration of last season. 

During a nearly 20-year career in football, he has also held coaching postings with Arsenal's academy, Darlington, the Football Association, Oxford United, Sunderland, and Durham Women. 

During a four year spell at Forest, Cook led his team to promotion to the Championship as well as reaching the final of the FAWNL Cup. 

Cook will be full-time and targeting promotion out of the fourth tier of the women's pyramid to continue City's on-pitch progression alongside general manager Flo Allen. 

"I'm delighted to be here," Cook told City's official channels. "Looking around the facilities, meeting some of the players and the staff has been brilliant. Everybody at the club has welcomed me, Ben (Knapper) and Flo (Allen) and all the staff behind them.

"I wanted to work in a place and environment where I could shape and help model something that is going to progress long-term and that's going to challenge me, and it's going to a city like Norwich and a club like Norwich that will do that."

Cook's experience and know-how gave him the edge over other candidates during a lengthy and thorough recruitment process that has been ongoing since Herdman's departure back in February. 

Norwich City women will be hoping for promotion next season. (Image: Richard Brown)

"We are delighted to be welcoming Andy to Norwich City," Allen said. "He joins us with a proven track record within the FA Women’s National League and, throughout the extensive recruitment process, his knowledge, experience and approach to player development stood out.

"Andy’s coaching philosophy aligns perfectly to our club vision and values and his appointment comes at an exciting stage of our journey, as we continue to evolve and develop.

"We are looking forward to Andy officially joining the club on July 1 and getting started on the pitch with the players and staff."