Emiliano Marcondes has expressed his initial concerns about his future at Norwich City following the unexpected dismissal of head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup. The 30-year-old midfielder, who joined the club under Thorup's guidance, faced uncertainty just weeks before his contract was set to expire in July. However, his worries were quickly alleviated by sporting director Ben Knapper, who reassured Marcondes of his position within the squad.
Thorup’s abrupt exit, occurring just two matches before the end of the 2024-25 season, cast doubt over Marcondes’ situation, particularly as the club was on the verge of activating a one-year extension on his contract. Nevertheless, the club’s communication and support were pivotal in reassuring him that his performance warranted a new deal, independent of Thorup’s presence.
“Yeah obviously [Thorup] brought me in, so there was a little concern, but I think that the club have been good in communicating with me when they extended my contract as well,” Marcondes stated. “They said that I'd had some good performances and a good season last year, so it was not only because Johannes was there that we extended it, but that they really could see me benefiting the team this year. That was a good feeling, a good conversation that we had.” Read more about Diallo Set for Extended Absence as Canaries Face Injury Woes.
Despite the managerial changes, Norwich City maintains a robust Scandinavian presence within its ranks. Marcondes continues to keep in contact with Thorup, expressing support for his former manager's future endeavours. “I'm still speaking to him and I hope that he's going to get a job soon. He's still a young manager and a great manager, so I think he's going to have an exciting future as well,” he added. Read more about Kovacevic Shines as Norwich City Aim for Championship Glory.
In the wake of Thorup's departure, Norwich appointed Liam Manning and his coaching staff while retaining several key players with Scandinavian ties. Alongside Marcondes, the squad features Oscar Schwartau and Tunisian international Anis Ben Slimane, who was raised in Denmark. This summer, the club also made headlines with the signing of Mathias Kvistgaarden from Brøndby for a reported £6.9 million, further enriching the Scandinavian contingent.
Although Kvistgaarden is currently sidelined with a knee injury expected to keep him out for approximately five weeks, Marcondes is optimistic about his potential impact upon return. “Really, really exciting,” he remarked. “He's a funny guy and a great guy, so we have a really good relationship. He's really easy to get to know and talk to and also on the pitch, his understanding of the game. He's a fox in the box and he likes to work hard, and those are the players that I also like to play with. I have played against him a few times in Denmark and I know him from the Superliga. He's always been a bit annoying to play against, but he would probably say the same thing about me!”
Their friendship extends beyond professional commitments, with Marcondes having visited Kvistgaarden to enjoy Champions League matches together.
Outside of football, Marcondes has incorporated journaling and breathing exercises into his routine as part of his commitment to maintaining focus and mental well-being. “It's just for my mental health in general and my life,” he explained. “I'm 30 years old now, so I have had different ways of getting better as a footballer. I've come across that it's also helping outside, in my life, and all the way around as a whole person, to have a better understanding of my mental health.”
He underscored the significance of daily routines, stating, “I can only say good things about having routines and daily habits.” With a fresh chapter under Manning’s leadership and a strengthened squad, Marcondes is poised to play a crucial role as Norwich City aims for Championship play-off success this season.