Anis Ben Slimane, Norwich City’s long-time ally, believes that head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup is one of the greatest.
The two originally collaborated in Slimane’s early childhood, when Thorup was an academy coach at modest Gladsaxe club Akademisk Boldklub, and reconnected last summer when the former was signed on loan from Sheffield United.
He’s now a permanent Canary, and he credits the 36-year-old with helping him make the move to Carrow Road, having established a strong reputation in his home country.
“I was probably 12 or 13 years old,” Slimane remarked when asked when he first met Thorup. “But I didn’t have him for long since he moved to FC Nordsjaelland. I had him maybe for a preseason.
“Obviously, we know each other because I’ve played against Nordsjaelland and Johannes’ side several times. So that’s where we mostly know one other from; we haven’t worked together in a long time.
“Johannes was well-known as a coach at both the local club AB and Nordsjaelland. Nobody in Denmark is surprised to see where he is now. He is an excellent coach who understands the game thoroughly.
“Obviously in football things change really quickly, and now we work together, which I really enjoy.”
Much of that delight stems from how well the 23-year-old fits into City’s style of play, which is somewhat dissimilar to how the Nordsjaelland team was set up. He believes it plays to his strengths and will benefit the club’s squad-building efforts.
“For me it’s how football should be played,” he concluded, speaking to the Pink Un. “I absolutely enjoy it, and it suits me perfectly, especially given my talents.
“I’m sure that it attracts other players as well, because everyone wants to be on the ball, everyone wants to create chances and score a lot of goals.”
