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 Chilean midfielder remains focused on achieving his goal of becoming a champion. Nunez became the first player to move from Norwich to Ipswich since 2001 when he completed his £10m switch in August. He has since played a crucial role in Ipswich's success, helping the team 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 says. '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 the game, when he waved a corner flag in front of jubilant Ipswich fans, were a testament to his emotional investment in the team. 'It was natural, it just came to me spontaneously,' he explains. 'In South America, when you win a big derby you celebrate a lot and that South American side of me came out a bit.' Nunez is aware that his transfer from Norwich to Ipswich has added extra spice to the upcoming fixture, but he remains unfazed by the hostility that awaits him. 'In South America, the derbies, the clásicos, are more intense, with more pressure,' he says. 'And I think that works in my favour because I've played under pressure.' The midfielder feels that his experience playing in high-pressure games will help him cope with the intense atmosphere at Carrow Road. 'When you step on the pitch, you forget all your problems and everything that's happening outside,' he says. 'You have to focus on the game, carry out your task well and always be positive.' Nunez's ambition to become a champion was the main reason behind his decision to leave Norwich for Ipswich. '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 explains. The move has proven to be a positive step in his career, with Nunez forming a strong bond with his new teammates and coach Kieran McKenna. 'We are very united and also focused on our objective, which is to get promoted to the Premier League,' he says. Nunez has been instrumental in Ipswich's success this season, with a win rate of 70 per cent in the 20 games he has started. His importance to the team is evident in the statistics, with Ipswich struggling to replicate their success without him. 'I am just a small piece of the puzzle,' he says humbly. 'I think we are all important in the team, those who play and even those who are injured.' Nunez's total of eight assists is among the highest in the Championship, and he has also scored three goals, including two free-kicks in a 4-1 win over QPR in November. He credits McKenna for his impact on the team, praising the coach's ability to keep the dressing room united and his players confident. 'He is one of the best coaches I've had in my career up until now,' Nunez 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.' As Ipswich prepare to face Norwich on Saturday, Nunez remains focused on the task at hand. 'We have the games in hand, so it's up to us,' he says. 'What I see in the team is that it's a very solid group. 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. I want to experience that feeling.'