Daniel Farke’s contract situation may still be up for debate – but there should be no doubting he feels right at home with Norwich City.
The Canaries head coach spent Wednesday evening in front of 430 City supporters, at a fans forum laid on by the Norwich City Fans Social Club at Carrow Road.
And while Farke’s current contract at the Championship leaders – set to expire this summer – swiftly came up in conversation with host and City legend Darren Eadie, it was the head coach’s feelings towards his current home that indicated good news could be on the way sooner rather than later.
“More often in football it feels like people are pretending with bonding with clubs,” said Farke. “They always touch your heart, and then you end up with 27 hearts. No head coach can say they hate it at their club!
• As it happened: Daniel Farke’s forum for the Norwich City Fans Social Club
“Our first season was really difficult, but from my first day it did really feel like home. I have a home base in Germany and it could be in years I work back there, but I will only have one home base in Germany. It feels like it will be the same for me here in England.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be here. People may get bored of all the passing! In future they may say ‘yeah he was solid, sometimes his football was boring but it’s good to see him back.
“But I can say this is my home in England, and it will always be.”
As for his contract, Farke reiterated a now familiar stance – that he remains “totally relaxed” on his future, “no one needs to be concerned” and he’s “sure there will come a time for announcements” – while his focus for now is on the team.
And that is certainly exciting in itself for Farke and his colleagues, with City chasing automation promotion back to the Premier League – a situation sporting director Stuart Webber is currently having to consider as part of his summer player recruitment plans. Said Farke: “We have to be unbelievably smart for the future.”
Farke also labelled Teemu Pukki “crucial” to his side’s challenge – but reserved special praise for his direct rival.
“I don’t want to praise Jordan Rhodes too much…but he’s the most special, unique guy I’ve worked with,” said Farke.
“He’s had to wait but also scored crucial goals, made crucial assists. He’s always supporting and speaking to his team-mates about who they’re playing against.
“If anyone is thinking about being grumpy for not playing, they always see Jordan who is always supporting and smiling. Everyone is praising Teemu – but Jordan is just as important to us.
“It’s the same with Grant Hanley. Ben Godfrey is keeping him out and he’s not even known as a centre-back. But Grant is a real captain of this club.
“We have a group that are really living this attitude of loving the name on the front of the shirt and not on the back.”
Once again the Norwich City Fans Social Club was raising money for the Community Sports Foundation and are expected to announce their total raised this season over the coming weeks.
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Michael Bailey on Twitter @michaeljbailey
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