Super Eagles playmaker William Troost-Ekong remains upbeat that finding a new coach is crucial at this point in time; npflupdates.com reports.
Recall the Super Eagles have been without a permanent head coach following the exit of José Peseiro post 2023 AFCON.
According to William Troost-Ekong, a local coach would be the best for the three-time African champions.
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“I think that will be the ideal situation for our team to be honest,” Troost-Ekong Nigeria legend Segun Odegbami, on his radio station, Eagles 7 103.7FM, last Saturday morning.
According to the former Watford FC defender, some football powerhouses in Africa are great with a local coach at the helm of the affairs.
What Ekong said about the Super Eagles coaching opportunity
“I said that because i have seen Senegal for example, what they achieve with their coach. Ivory Coast now, they changed their coach at the middle of the tournament.
“There is something that has to be said about a coach understanding about a culture of a country, players and daily route having been there before as a player, playing at the AFCON,” he said.
The former Udinese Calcio star, also stated that, he has no issues if the NFF hires a foreign coach.
“But on the other side, I can’t dismiss having a foreign coach because my experience under Gernot Rohr was so very good. We went to the World Cup and AFCON semi finals in Egypt.
“Under Jose Peseiro, there was a lot of criticisms before the tournament and the year leading after it. And for him to take us to the AFCOn final, it’s a lot of achievement for him.
“For me, I like to think beyond nationalities and political positions. I like to think whatever decision that will be made will be the best for the team,” the Super Eagles star stated.
Asked whether foreign-based players do not respect local coaches, the Super Eagles defender said:
”It doesn’t matter if it’s a Nigerian coach or Foreign coach for as long as the Super Eagles can win an AFCON trophy or go further in the World Cup like they have never done before. Then it will be a success for everybody.
“I think from my experience in the changing rooms, I don’t think there is a level of respect change. I think every manager has their own authority. I think there is always a thin line where you have to work between close to a group, and being manager of a group.”
In another story, a former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia blast the NFF over poor treatment of local coaches.
“They didn’t give Nigeria people [local coaches] four years, you lose one match they [NFF] fire you. That’s the truth. The white people will come, you give them [more time], [and] you pay them more money.” Siasia said on Athlst and was quoted by Soccernet Nigeria.
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In support, former Super Eagles defender, Celestine Babayaro said; “We had a white person that came, after he lost, not only did the NFF increase money, they also sent him on a coaching course.” And Siasia responded, saying, “And we, they won’t send us anywhere and they want us to be better.”
“They will pay the white man $50,000 monthly, and pay local hires ₦1,000,000. From the million naira, the coaching staff will also take inside, and you also have to feed your family.” he added.
