Farke said: "I was quite blessed when I had him at Norwich. He was my captain. My first steps in English football, inexperienced coach, Russell in the later stages of his career, especially in the first weeks got a lot of information because of him.
"Could tell he would become a manager. He judged the games and everything that happens around the pitch, the dressing room, with the eyes of a manager. I was sure he'd do a good job in this business as a manager.
"As a captain he was a leader of men, the way he led the group, I sensed many skills if you want to lead a group as a manager. There was no doubt after his playing career, he'd become a manager, I was quite sure. He's a great person. Right now he's proving me right, we have our experience from Norwich."