Hernandez braced for emotional Norwich farewell
Onel Hernandez made his most recent appearance for Norwich in a 3-1 defeat at Millwall on 21 April [BBC Radio Norfolk]
Norwich City forward Onel Hernandez has admitted there were tears in his eyes because of messages from supporters following the news that he is to be released by the club at the end of the season.
The 32-year-old Cuban has played 209 games for the Canaries since arriving from German club Eintracht Braunschweig in January 2018, scoring 15 goals.
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He was a member of the team which won promotion to the Premier League under former boss Daniel Farke in 2019 and 2021.
"It's been a very emotional week for me. I still can't imagine really that it's done now," Hernandez told BBC Radio Norfolk's The Scrimmage.
"I had moments when I was sitting at home, messages I received from fans touched me somehow, I'm not a guy that cries a lot but I had some tears coming then. I had to try to hold it in, but it's not easy."
On his popularity among the supporters, he added: "It's not just because of the success we had back in the day when we got the promotions, it's also how you communicate with the fans.
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"It's not just about coming here, kicking the ball and then leaving again, it's more than that, you have to go out there, speak to everyone and be friendly.
"At the end of the day, that's what they deserve, they spend a lot of money to come and support the club. You have to understand that and be grateful for that."
Hernandez agreed a new two-year contract in 2023 but it expires following Saturday's final game of the campaign against Cardiff City.
The club announced earlier this week that goalkeepers Angus Gunn and Archie Mair, midfielder Jacob Sorensen and defender Jonathan Tomlinson will also be leaving Carrow Road this summer.
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Hernandez is expecting to have to deal with another upswell of sentiment again on Saturday if he is picked for a farewell appearance against the Bluebirds.
Speaking at a Norwich Fans' Social Club event, he said: "It will definitely be quite emotional. The last time I saw that was when Teemu (Pukki) left - when you play with a players for so long, you are quite emotional to see them gone.
"I was always thinking 'that will not happen to me, I'm not 'leaving this place' and now it's my time, I don't know if I can keep myself without tears. I don't want to think too much about that, it's a very sad moment."
Former England midfielder Jack Wilshere is in interim charge of the Canaries following the sacking of Johannes Hoff Thorup and Hernandez believes he is a strong candidate for the permanent role.
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"Norwich need to look a little bit more in the future now and with Jack, he's a big name, someone well-known in football, he knows how players feel, he came into the dressing room and you felt it straight away," he said.
"For the new start, for the new momentum, Norwich need, he could be a great manager and get a lot of interesting players in as well.
"He has made an impact and has a bright future at the club."
Hernandez praised former boss Thorup, who left on 22 April after a run of six defeats in eight games, for doing a "great job" for the club.
"There were results at home when the football looked amazing.... but when things are not going well and results aren't there, sometimes decisions like that are made.
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"He was definitely a good coach. At the end of the day, it didn't work out but we have to be grateful that he was here and we had the experience with him," he added.
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