Paul Lambert relishing leading Norwich City into the Premier League

Paul Lambert ,Norwich City

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Paul Lambert can’t wait to test himself amongst the best managers in the country after he led Norwich City back to the Premier League.

After overcoming a resilient Portsmouth side on Monday night, the Canaries confirmed their return to England’s top flight for the first time since their relegation in 2005.

The achievement has been made all the more stunning considering Norwich only came up from League One last season, and have become the first team to achieve back to back promotions to the Premier League since Manchester City in 2000.

But despite the quick turn around for Norwich, Lambert has backed his side to cope well with some of Europe’s elite next season.

“Everyone knows it’s the best league in Europe,” he told reporters.

“You see the teams and quality of players in it – I’ve never been involved in it, I never played in it – but I don’t need to be Einstein to sit here and think ‘it’s going to be brilliant for us’.

“It will be great. The lads are going to enjoy it. However, if we are playing Manchester United one weekend and then Arsenal on a Tuesday I might give a different answer. But it sounds quite good,” he added.

“The players wouldn’t have done this if they weren’t good players.”

Simeon Jackson’s ninth goal in seven games was enough to secure promotion and a massive £60 million windfall to a club who were on the verge of administration two years ago.

With QPR’s appeal still to be heard, and rumours of a points deduction, Norwich could still find themselves going up as champions for a second year running, but Lambert is keeping his feet on the ground.

“It’s never bothered me, I can’t influence anything that I don’t know the ins and outs of,” he said,” Lambert continued.

“Whether we get the opportunity to win the league we’ll wait and see.

“Would I like to win the league? Absolutely. I don’t just want a t-shirt, I’d rather have a trophy.

He went on to say: “We can’t do any more other than win our last game against Coventry. We can’t influence an FA hearing.

“What will happen will happen – but the main thing is we are up.”