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

Marcelino Nunez is preparing for a hostile reception when he returns to his former club, Norwich, with his new team, Ipswich, on Saturday. Nunez made the switch from Norwich to Ipswich in August, becoming the first player to do so since Andy Marshall in 2001. He has since helped Ipswich beat their rivals for the first time in 16 years, scoring the goal that settled the previous East Anglian derby in Norwich's favour. 'It was an important challenge because Ipswich hadn't beaten Norwich in so long and I had helped to extend that run even further,' Nunez 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 after coming off the bench to set up the third goal against his old club were clear for all to see, as he waved a corner flag in front of jubilant Ipswich fans at Portman Road. '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 Chile international 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 his former club and help 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, having won five titles with his previous team in Chile. 'It wasn't a very complicated decision because my mentality is to become a champion,' he says. 'With my previous team in Chile, I became a champion five times, and that's my mindset, to win titles.' Nunez has played a key role in Ipswich's promotion push, bringing creativity, set-piece prowess, goal threat, and energy to the No 10 role. His importance can be seen in Ipswich's record with and without him, with a win rate of 70 per cent in the 20 games he has started this season. Nunez credits Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna for his impact, saying he is 'one of the best coaches I've had in my career.' Reaching the Premier League would allow Nunez to realise a childhood dream, and he is relaxed about Ipswich's prospects, with seven games remaining in the Championship. 'What I see in the team is that it's a very solid group,' he says. 'There are very good team-mates and the coach is one of the best I've had in my career. With the team we have, I think we will reach the Premier League.'