Paul Williams joined Norwich City as the Under-18s manager on 21st January 2018. He Takes over from David Wright who recently moved up the age groups to coach the Club's Under-23s.

Williams began his playing career with Derby, making 195 appearances between 1989 and 1995, including a loan spell at Lincoln in 1989 (3 appearances). He moved to Premier Leagus side Coventry City in August 1995 for £750,000. He spent five years at Highfield Road and was Player of the Year in his debut season. He made 199 appearances. He teamed up with former Coventry manager Gordon Strachan at Southampton in October 2001. He made 43 appearances before being released in June 2003. He joined Stoke in August 2003 and made 20 appearances. He finished his playing career in the USA with the Richmond Kickers and with non-league Rocester.

He won six Under-21 caps for England.

Between 2006 and 2008 he was a development coach with Wolves. In December 2006, he was named manager of American side Fredericksburg Gunners but left in February 2007. He became assistant manager at Aldershot in October 2009 but left along with manager Jason Dodd after four games. He then joined Southampton's academy as a part time coach before being promoted to the full time position of Youth Development Coach. He managed the Under-13, assisted the Under-18s and coached specialist sessions for teams between under-14 and under-18. During this time, players like Luke Shaw, Callum Chambers, Harrison Reed and James Ward-Prowse progressed through the Saints' academy. During his initial period at Southampton, he also coached at non-league sides Team Solent and Eastleigh.

Upon leaving southampton, Williams and Dodd joined Gosport Borough's backroom staff. In Jluy 2015, he joined Brentford as Logistics Manager and assistant to head coach Lee Carsley. He later reverted to a coaching role with the development squad.

. He was then first team coach at Notts Forest from December 2015. On 13th March 2016, he was named manager until the end of the 2015–16 season, following the termination of Dougie Freedman's contract on the same day. .He was in charge for 10 games.

On 28th July 201, he was announced as an assistant coach for England's Under-15 and Under-16 teams. He later became assistant to England U20 manager Aidy Boothroyd early in the 2016–17 season and took over as interim manager of the team in September 2016. He managed the U20s to victory in the 2016 Four Nations tournament and to a runners-up finish in the 2016 Continental Cup and left the role in mid-November 2016.

On 16th Novembe r2016 he joined Swansea as assistant to manager Bob Bradley. They left the club in January 2017. Williams then joined Birmingham in September 2017 as assistant first team coach, leaving with Steve Cottrell in March 2018. His next role was as opposition scout for West Brom which he took up in September 2018.

"I met Steve Weaver [Academy Manager] when I was at Southampton and he was at Wolves a few years ago and we've got on ever since," said Williams. "We've spoken a few times over the last few years and when this opportunity came up, it didn't take much for me to accept the position. Once I got here, I could see that everything is in place for it to be a very successful academy. The challenge to be a part of that is something I couldn't really turn down."

On 12th February 2020, Norwich announced that Williams had left the club due to "personal reasons". He had been absent from the recent FA Youth Cup fixtures at Carrow Road, missing a 3-2 win over Newcastle and a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United, with academy manager Steve Weaver in the dugout for both games, and there were reports prior to Christmas 2019 that Williams had been unwell. Weaver said "It is with much sadness that Paul leaves his position as our under-18s coach. I would like to place on record our sincere thanks to him for his hard work and diligence throughout his time with us. Paul brought much needed experience into the academy and has had an impact on the players, coaches and staff that have been around him. I would like to wish Paul all the success in the future."

On 1st March 2021 he joined Sheffield Wednesday as first-team coach working under new manager Darren Moore. He left Wednesday on 20th July 2021 for personal reasons. In August 2021 he was appointed as Academy Director by Birmingham City.