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

Marcelino Nunez is prepared for a hostile reception when he returns to Carrow Road with Ipswich on Saturday, but the Chilean midfielder remains focused on helping his new team achieve their Premier League ambitions. Nunez became the first player to move from Norwich to Ipswich since 2001 when he completed his £10m transfer in August. He played a crucial role in Ipswich's 3-1 win over Norwich, ending a 16-year wait for a victory over their East Anglian rivals. 'It was an important challenge, and we managed to turn it around and end the run,' Nunez tells Sky Sports. 'I was really happy about it.' Nunez's celebrations after the game, which included waving a corner flag in front of jubilant Ipswich fans, were a testament to his passion and commitment to his new 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 unfazed by the prospect of facing his former club and their fans, citing his experience of playing in intense derbies in South America. 'I know there is going to be a bit more heat on me, but it motivates me,' he says. 'I'm motivated to face the game on Saturday.' Ipswich are currently a point behind Millwall in third place, with three games in hand, and Nunez believes they have a strong chance of achieving promotion to the Premier League. 'Our mentality, and my mentality, is to take three points and win,' he says. Nunez's move to Ipswich was driven by his desire to become a champion, and he believes the club has the resources and the coach to help him achieve his goal. '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 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 key role in Ipswich's success this season, providing eight assists and scoring three goals, including two free-kicks in a 4-1 win over QPR. He credits coach Kieran McKenna with helping him to settle into the team and achieve his goals. '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.' With seven games remaining, Nunez is relaxed about Ipswich's promotion prospects, but he knows that reaching the Premier League would be a dream come true. '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.'