Thorup thriving at Rapid Vienna after Norwich exit
Johannes Hoff Thorup is enjoying a strong start at Rapid Vienna following a difficult spell at Norwich City. The Austrian Bundesliga leaders have lost just one of their opening seven league matches, sitting a point clear of Red Bull Salzburg ahead of the international break.
Thorup, who lasted less than 10 months at Carrow Road, is now focused on building success in Vienna. He expects contract talks in the new year but said, "We are not talking about it right now. I think we will have to go to Christmas before it becomes relevant, there has been a lot to look at."
He added that his deal includes clauses for an automatic extension based on results, saying, "There are some results that need to be achieved that do not look so unrealistic, it may be that it is a conversation that we do not need to have because it will automatically be extended."
Thorup on Rapid’s playing style and ambitions
Thorup has been working to develop Rapid Vienna’s style, aiming to dominate matches more consistently than earlier in the season. "We are starting to play more and more, which I would like, and we are developing our players to go in the direction that we can dominate the matches much more than we could three/four months ago," he said.
He highlighted the club’s recruitment of technical midfielders to help control games. "We have brought in some technical players, including midfielders, who have skills in having the ball, so we need to create a game that allows us to control eight out of ten games we play."
Thorup believes this approach allows Rapid’s attacking players to flourish. "Fortunately, we have succeeded in that, it also means that we can put our talented offensive players on the stage much more than last season, it means that we have got it where we want it to be."
Thorup reflects on Norwich and future goals
Speaking to Danish outlet The Pink'un, Thorup paid tribute to Norwich’s Michael Wynn Jones and acknowledged the challenge of his time at Carrow Road.
He said Rapid’s situation is similar to his previous role at Norwich, tasked with restoring former glory. "It's talked about every single day when you're around. They haven't won for almost 20 years and not even a cup title, that's something you crave."
Thorup is realistic about Rapid’s competition with Salzburg, who have significantly greater financial resources. "The fact is that it's a club in Salzburg that has three or four times as much money as the others in Austria, and that will always be the favourite."
He added, "We'd like to be up there, but realistically, anything within the top three is acceptable. Of course, we want more than that."
Reflecting on his football philosophy, Thorup said, "My time at FC Nordsjlland characterises my way of looking at football, which is why the football teams I coach will always play some kind of that form of football."