Christoph Zimmermann: “It was a massive step from Borussia Dortmund II to the Premier League but I’m loving it”

BM: How are you settling in now in your fourth year in Norfolk? Would you consider living in Norwich after your career?

CZ: Firstly, I hope I will still be playing for a few more years, even though I haven’t been lucky with injuries, I’ve still got a few good years in me, and I can still enjoy playing at a very good level. After that, I started studying to be a teacher before I turned ‘pro’ and I still wouldn’t rule that career out.

On the other side, working as a coach would always be something to have in the back of your mind, because I am quite analytical, especially recently during my time on the bench due to injury I have had time to analyse our team and I could certainly imagine going into coaching perhaps here at Carrow Road if the chance arises.

Regarding living in Norwich and Norfolk. One of the first things I was told when I arrived here was that people who once played for Norwich, either stay here or always come back to visit. It’s been a very good time here in Norwich and I hope there is a lot more of that to come. We feel very settled at Norwich. So, if it wasn’t for the family in Germany which we both miss, living permanently in Norwich would definitely be something I would strongly consider.

BM: That’s pretty great to hear, maybe a role with Norwich, like Per Mertesacker’s job as head of the youth academy at Arsenal?

CZ: I used to say something similar actually, the youth academy is something that I would like to work with. I would certainly like to be a manager and work in a professional football setting. Another advantage of Norwich is that our son is used to it. You know football can be very transitory, what I don’t want is him to have to move school six, seven times in as many years, so yes being part of the Norwich City academy could probably be an option once I retire but that is some time away as yet.