Former Hibs man reveals key factor which inspired summer move
Former Hibs star Emiliano Marcondes claims that the opportunity to link up with manager Johannes Hoff Thorup once again was a key factor behind his decision to join Championship promotion hopefuls Norwich City.
Midfielder Marcondes spent eight years at FC Nordsjaelland where 35-year-old Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup started his coaching career.
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Thorup worked in the Danish club's youth set-up before spending 16 months in charge of the first team.
"I've known Johannes since I was 14 and saw him as a young coach." Marcondes told BBC Radio Norfolk's The Scrimmage.
"He was very serious and very structured in his style but you could see his development and his mindset as he was always asking questions."
Marcondes joined English side Brentford in 2018 and started and scored in the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium as Brentford defeated Swansea City 2-0.
That would be his final act for the Bees but just a year later after joining Bournemouth on a free, he would once again find himself celebrating promotion, this time securing a second place finish under the guidance of Scott Parker.
The Dane made just one top-flight appearance for the Cherries before returning to Nordsjaelland, who were then managed by Thorup. He scored three times in eight appearances in 2023, before moving to the Scottish capital with Hibs on a six-month loan deal at the end of last season.
Marcondes played 15 times for Hibs and scored three goals for Nick Montgomery's side during a difficult period which ultimately resulted in the former Central Coast Mariners boss being axed in May.
The playmaker admitted that Montgomery's departure was tough to take and opened up about his feelings in great detail on YouTube.
He said at the time of his exit while travelling to training: "It's strange. It's going to be a strange day. I feel so sorry for managers, especially Nick. He's just such a kind person.
"He's travelled all the way from Australia and he's only been here nine months. He has three kids with him, his wife. And now his kids will all have to change schools again. It's hard man. It's tough and he will have to find a new job."
Marcondes had been without a club for several months but claims he had multiple offers to join other teams. But ultimately his relationship with Thorup was what enticed him to go to Carrow Road.
He explained: "I could see how he had developed as a coach and he has taken the style of play from Nordsjaelland to Norwich.
"I thought the style of being very structured and pressing would suit playing in the Championship as you can get so many teams out of position and exploit their weaknesses.
"I think we are seeing that, especially in the last few games."
"I want to fit in [at Norwich] as soon as possible as my contract is only until the summer so I want to get into things quickly," he added.
"To get into a new team and a new place to live is not easy but my goal is to get connected."
