Just 90 minutes in and the ride under Daniel Farke already bodes well, according to the Norwich City player who knows him best.
Nelson Oliveira’s late equaliser sealed the Canaries’ excellent opening day point at hotly-tipped Fulham – and much like pre-season, summer signing Christoph Zimmermann was on hand to play every minute and produce a resolute performance.
Not bad given the centre-back was playing the fourth tier of German football last season, under Farke with Borussia Dortmund – and before that, under Huddersfield boss David Wagner.
“We only got one point and it’s just one game, but it helps because when you’re losing, everyone would have been questioning whether what we did was right, whether we should have played in another philosophy or with another tactic or other players,” said Zimmermann.
“So it was important we scored but also with the adjustments, changes and substitutions he made, everyone could see that he was right about them because Wes (Hoolahan) made the assist and Nelson (Oliveira) scored.
“You can’t do much more from the bench and also, when we changed the basic formation after 30 minutes, it was good for us because we got along better with that. So he also had a big impact on the game in that way.
“I played under both Wagner and Farke, and they’re both excellent coaches. Different in some ways.
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“Wagner proved he could do unbelievable things and Farke will prove he is a brilliant coach. We’ve already seen in this game his impact, with the change in formation and then change in the substitutes. I think we’ll have a lot of fun with him this season.”
The 24-year-old defender also plans to have a lot of fun on his own terms, as he makes the most of his big move.
“It’s difficult not to compare,” he added. “In Dortmund we also had a great time and for a second team, unbelievable supporters.
“But coming to such a stadium, playing at such a ground and in front of such a crowd, for me it’s the best feeling ever as a footballer. The switch from the fourth league in Germany, playing in the Dortmund second team, and then coming here being a member of the first team, playing against Fulham but also on Sunday against Sunderland. Such great teams. It’s like day and night.”
• For the latest Norwich City news and opinion follow Michael Bailey on Twitter @michaeljbailey, Facebook @mbjourno and Instagram @mrmichaeljbailey
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