Onel Hernandez gearing up for emotional City farewell
Onel Hernandez is gearing up for an emotional Norwich City farewell at Carrow Road on Saturday as the curtains fall on a seven-year spell at the club.Â
The Cuban international is one of three senior players set to depart the football club this summer at the end of their current contracts, bringing to an end a period in Norfolk that has included two Championship title wins and over 200 appearances.
The Cuban international is one of three senior players set to depart the football club this summer at the end of their current contracts, bringing to an end a period in Norfolk that has included two Championship title wins and over 200 appearances.
Alongside Angus Gunn and Jacob Sorensen, Hernandez will play for the final time in Saturday’s Championship finale against already-relegated Cardiff and is anticipating an emotional day as he bids farewell to the club.
“I’m normally not a crier. I have always said I try to be a very positive and happy person. It’s obviously already been an emotional week for me. I don’t put so many thoughts into it because it will definitely make me cry.
“It’s a sad moment that I will never forget in my life, because being in the club for seven years is not normal. Most of the time, players leave after two years, and being somewhere strong, especially like Norwich, is hard.
“I will definitely stay a bit longer on the pitch and realise what really is going on,” Hernandez said.
“I will always be grateful for (the fans) and thankful for everything they did for me and for always being supportive. It shows how special this club is for every player who comes to Norwich City.
“This club is like a family, and we are all very lucky to be here as football players. Everyone who comes to Norwich knows straight away that it is different, and this club is different.
“Thank you for your support, and I love you all.”
Hernandez was speaking at a live Pink Un podcast event held for the Norwich City Fans Social Club on Thursday evening at Carrow Road, where he appeared alongside team-mate Jack Stacey.
It came days after news of his imminent release was made public – and the winger opened up on an emotional week that included the presentation of a special award from honorary life presidents Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones at the club’s Colney base.
“It was obviously very emotional. I was sitting at home and I received so many messages from so many fans. Because I was sitting at home and thinking and realising, is it really the end? Is it done now?
“I had those moments when I was sitting in my house by myself, where I just felt like I needed to cry now, but it’s been a long time. Norwich is my home, and it was very, very hard for me as well,” he said.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet. You can’t be upset when you come to the training ground every day and see guys like Marcelino Nunez; you laugh every minute. I enjoy the time right now much more than I will next week. The emotions will just come next week.”
Despite a more difficult end to his time at Carrow Road, Hernandez reflects with pride on his football achievements, but has also found a home in Norfolk despite arriving with a limited grasp of the English language and anxiety over how to apply himself.
“Scoring against Ipswich, definitely,” Hernandez responds when asked for his highlight.
“To be honest, I was very lucky. Before I came to Norwich, I met another club. It was Brentford. I met the club, but because of my German background, (I came to Norwich). I arrived and met Daniel Farke and Stuart Webber in a hotel.
“Farke lived basically 20 minutes from where I’m from, but I never heard of him. I played football there, and he was a coach with the Borussia Dortmund second team.
“I was very lucky because the guy spoke German. We had (Marco) Stiepermann, (Mario) Vrancic, (Tom) Trybull, Farke – all the Germans, but that’s why it was so easy for me. I always say that the first time, when I arrived here in the UK, I was very scared. I couldn’t imagine sitting here right now to speak to you guys.
“I’ve been in a few clubs in Germany, but it was not so amazing, and I would never go back to Germany.”
Irrespective of what comes next for the 32-year-old, he will have a home in Norfolk forever, and that connection with City supporters will echo deep into the years ahead.
