A former Super Eagles international, John Utaka has expressed his willingness to help Nigeria won her fourth AFCON title.
Utaka revealed this during an interview with DW Sports last Monday. And according to Utaka, he can only achieve that feat of given the chance as a Super Eagles coach.
The decision to go into coaching by Utaka after his retirement was much predictable. Because after retiring from active football, he established his football academy, ‘John Utaka Football Academy, Minna’ Niger State.
And based on his performances when he was at HSC Montpellier , the Ligue 1 outfit recalled him as U-19 coach.
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While at Montpellier, the former Sivasspor player got his UEFA A license last year. And he is now moving towards his UEFA Pro badge.
John Utaka Explains Super Eagles Dream After Retirement
“If the opportunity comes to coach a team in Europe, I will embrace it,” Utaka told DW Sports.
Speaking further, the former Portsmouth FC winger, confirmed his dream is to win trophies he couldn’t win as a player.
“My dream is to win trophies that I didn’t win as a player. I want to win them as a coach. We’ve never had an African coach win the champions League. That’s a goal for me.”
And based on his assertions, the coaching job is not easy, but with hard-work and consistency, one can succeed.
“I think it is all about being consistent. You keep learning and keep pushing and put everything in it. It is a team sport, and you need people to push you and recommend you,” he continued.
The English FA Cup winner, reassured that once his opportunity come calling, that he’s ready to embrace it. And will always persist, never to lose hope, while also learning from others, as football is a team sport.
“When you get your chances, you have to take them,” he said.
“We have to persist, we cannot lose hope. We have to push and push. Football is a team sport, and we have to work together and learn from others,” he added.
In his time, John Utaka, played in Africa and Europe. He won the English FA Cup with Portsmouth in 2007/2008 season. Also, he helped HSC Montpellier win the French Ligue 1 in 2011/2012 season ahead of Paris St-Germain.
And while playing in Africa, the pacy winger won the Egyptian Cup with Ismaily. Also, he won the Egyptian highest goalscorer award in 1999/2000 season.
