Marcelino Nunez issues Ipswich Town promotion message - dig aimed at Norwich City fans? | OneFootball

Marcelino Nunez has seemingly aimed a dig at Norwich City fans after winning promotion from the Championship to the Premier League with Ipswich Town

Marcelino Nunez successfully helped Ipswich Town win promotion from the Championship to the Premier League after making the controversial switch from rivals Norwich City last summer.

The 26-year-old featured for over 70 minutes on Saturday when the Tractor Boys beat Queens Park Rangers 3-0 at Portman Road to seal their place in next season's top flight.

Kieran McKenna's men finished second in the Championship, just one point clear of third-place Millwall, who will now have to navigate the play-offs.

Ipswich were quick to settle any potential nerves against QPR on Saturday, as goals from George Hirst and Jaden Philogene-Bidace handed them a 2-0 lead inside 10 minutes.

Marcelino Nunez fires potential dig at Norwich City fans in Ipswich Town promotion message

Nunez made Norwich supporters furious when he left the Canaries to join East Anglian derby rivals Ipswich last summer.

The Carrow Road club's loss has certainly been the Tractor Boys' gain, as the 26-year-old notched three goals and seven assists in 36 Championship appearances for McKenna's side.

Nunez found himself at the heart of controversy once more when Ipswich beat Norwich 2-0 on away soil last month, as he was subbed off following a yellow card, even though he was only introduced to the action on 61 minutes.

The 26-year-old reached the Championship play-offs with the Canaries in 2024, but the first promotion of his career has instead come with the Tractor Boys.

And taking to Instagram on Sunday to send a message to ITFC fans, the midfielder wrote: "A year that says it all. A wonderful year at this club, filled with moments that left a mark on me both on and off the pitch.

"An incredible group, fans who you can truly feel and who never stopped pushing us, and a shirt that you wear with pride in every match. Today, a dream come true: promotion to the Premier League."

The sentence about Ipswich supporters could be interpreted as a dig against Norwich fans, who Nunez may not feel pushed him as much as the Tractor Boys faithful have - and especially after the antics that happened at Carrow Road last month during the Chilean's short cameo on the pitch, where he was subbed on by McKenna, came dangerously close to being sent off before being substituted off.

On a more positive notion, Nunez's most memorable performances for McKenna's side so far include December's 2-0 victory over second-tier champions Coventry City, when the Chile international registered two assists - the former Norwich man also impressed in Ipswich colours when he scored in November's 2-0 triumph over Hull City.

Marcelino Nunez can make Norwich City particularly envious by performing in the Premier League for Ipswich Town

Norwich have established themselves as a club who could challenge for promotion from the Championship to the Premier League next term, thanks to their resurgent form under Philippe Clement.

However, the Canaries will still be jealous of the fact that their fierce rivals Ipswich have returned to the top flight at the first time of asking following last season's relegation.

Those feelings of envy will be exacerbated if Nunez, who used to ply his trade for the Carrow Road club, is a solid performer for McKenna's men in the Premier League.

Ipswich have plenty of work to do in the summer transfer window to make themselves a capable top-flight outfit, though, which they know all too well following their aforementioned relegation - whether Nunez can also make the step up though remains to be seen.