NORWICH CITY yesterday refused to accept an offer of resignation from manager Paul Lambert.

The 42-year-old has been linked heavily with the vacant post at Aston Villa and took the decision to try and expedite his move away from Carrow Road.

However, Norwich stated later that his resignation had been turned down. The Barclays Premier League club are loathe to lose their manager after Lambert led them on a rousing season back in the top flight where they finished in 12th place. Villa had a comparatively disappointing campaign which ended with Alex McLeish being sacked as manager.

The club are eager to appoint Lambert as his replacement and the former Scotland internationalist is, somewhat typically, keen to take up a new challenge. Norwich intimated in their statement that they were in talks with an unnamed club but will likely be preparing to seek a new manager.

"We have fought hard to keep Paul at Norwich and have not accepted his resignation whilst discussions with another club are taking place," read the club statement. "However, whatever happens, we want to place on record our sincere gratitude for everything Paul has done for the club over the last three fantastic seasons."

Lambert took over the club while they were still in npower League One, having left Colchester United in August 2009, and led them through successive promotions to the Premier League. It is understood Villa made an official approach to Norwich yesterday to talk to Lambert.

There had been reports of a falling out with Lambert following the club's decision to reject that request. However, Norwich appeared to play those rumours down.

"Discussions with Paul throughout the last few days have been professional and amicable," the statement continued. "Paul has already earned his place in Norwich City Football Club history and, no matter what happens, will always have a friendly welcome at Carrow Road.

"When Paul joined us in August 2009 we were in 66th position in the English football pyramid and the club was on the brink of financial meltdown. We are a Barclays Premier League football club, on a financially sound footing and with a stadium full to capacity."

Should Lambert depart, it is likely his backroom staff – assistant Ian Culverhouse, the former Norwich defender, and head of football operations Gary Karsa – would follow him out of Carrow Road. The Scot's playing squad was built on a strong work ethic, with many having come up through successive promotions, or been given a chance to impress in the top flight, like winger Anthony Pilkington. Norwich, though, insist there is not about to be a firesale at Carrow Road.

"The club does not need to sell any players and the finances are in place to substantially strengthen the excellent squad which helped us finish in 12th position in the Premier League last season," read the statement. "Rest assured that everyone behind the scenes at Carrow Road remains absolutely focused on continuing to help the club progress."

That is typical rhetoric, yet it will sound positive to any new manager, with Malky Mackay expected to head a list of potential replacements including former Norwich player Steve Bruce. Mackay, who came close to leading Cardiff City to the Premier League after losing to Blackpool in the play-off semi-finals, is another Scot on the rise.