Nunez: My Goal Was to Become a Champion, That's Why I Left Norwich for Ipswich

Marcelino Nunez is preparing for a heated reception when he returns to Carrow Road with Ipswich on Saturday, but the Chile international is unfazed by the prospect of facing his former club. Nunez became the first player to move from Norwich to Ipswich since 2001 when he completed a £10m switch in August. A few weeks later, he helped Ipswich beat their rivals for the first time in 16 years with a 3-1 win. 'It was an important challenge because Ipswich hadn't beaten Norwich in so long and I had helped to extend that run even further,' he tells Sky Sports. 'It was a big task but we managed to turn it around and end the run and I was really happy about it.' Nunez's celebrations that day at Portman Road, when he waved a corner flag in front of jubilant Ipswich fans after coming off the bench to set up the third goal against his old club, were a testament to his passion. 'It was natural, it just came to me spontaneously,' he says. 'In South America, when you win a big derby you celebrate a lot and that South American side of me came out a bit.' The 26-year-old feels he is well-equipped to cope with the hostility that awaits him at Carrow Road, having played in intense derbies in South America. 'In South America the derbies, the clásicos, are more intense, with more pressure,' he explains. 'And I think that works in my favour because I've played under pressure.' Nunez is motivated to face the game on Saturday and is focused on helping Ipswich take another step closer to the Premier League. 'Our mentality, and my mentality, is to take three points and win,' he says. The move to Ipswich was driven by Nunez's ambition to become a champion. 'I was very clear about my goal, which was to fight for the championship, so that's why I made the decision to move to Ipswich,' he says. 'The fans welcomed me incredibly well, even though I came from a rival, and overall I'm very happy with the team and with the manager.' Nunez has played a crucial role in Ipswich's season, with eight assists and three goals, including two free-kicks in a 4-1 win over QPR in November. He credits manager Kieran McKenna for his impact. 'He is one of the best coaches I've had in my career up until now,' he says. 'He organises the training sessions incredibly well, he's very intelligent, he knows how to keep the dressing room united, and he gives the players lots of confidence.' Nunez is relaxed about Ipswich's promotion prospects and believes reaching the Premier League would allow him to realise a childhood dream. 'I always dreamt about it but I never imagined going to England would happen so quickly and being a step away from the Premier League,' he says. 'It's something incredible that's happening and it's close, so we just have to focus on each match.'