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Rupp reveals how badly Farke wanted him
Lukas Rupp is enjoying his first taste of English football after Norwich City move Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Lukas Rupp admitted Daniel Farke launched a major charm offensive to get him to Norwich City.
Rupp was the Canaries' only permanent signing last month for the decisive phase of the Premier League relegation battle, after a decade in the Bundesliga.
The 29-year-old former Hoffenheim talent has already underlined his versatility in the league and the FA Cup quest with an impressive display in the fourth-round win at Burnley.
Rupp penned a two-and-a-half year deal to join City, and Farke's persuasive powers had a huge part to play.
"He told me about Norwich, but also that he had been chasing me for a long time," he said.
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"We had a long conversation on the phone when I was at the training camp with Hoffenheim. He comes from Paderborn, or at least from the area. That played a crucial role for me.
"I haven't been here that long, but I don't see a huge difference to how other coaches work. Only one thing perhaps, the training is much more intensive than in Germany. The other players here before didn't know that either, so the coach brought it with them.
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"To be honest, it was not difficult for me. In the previous years there were also interested parties from England, so I was already thinking about it. It was just the right moment for me now. I really wanted to take the step and I'm glad that it worked."
City's squad have a blank fixture weekend before gearing up for the daunting challenge of trying to halt Premier League champions-elect Liverpool.
Rupp, speaking to the One Football site, admitted these are the games that enticed him to England.
"We already had this game in the Champions League (when I was at) Hoffenheim. But also on top of this opponents like Arsenal or Chelsea," he said. "For the boys here it may be normal to play against these teams, but for me it is something special.
"It took me a few days to adjust. But strangely, I have been coping very well with the load so far. I would not have expected to feel so good, especially after the games, but so far I have coped very well with it. It's a lot more physical, a lot more athletic here. The strikers and defenders are stronger and faster.
"But it is not as tactical as in the Bundesliga. It is always about trying to play it straight forward."
