Former Nigerian international Mikel Obi has compared interim head coach of the Super Eagles, Augustine Eguavoen, to Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Mikel, who played under him both at the junior and senior level of the national team, told the Obi One Podcast that Eguavoen gives players the liberty to express themselves on the pitch.
“I know the interim manager now, Augustine Eguavoen, who managed me when I was a kid. U-17, he was my coach, took us to the World Cup,” he said on Obi One Podcast.
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“Fantastic guy, lovely guy, a manager who gives you all the freedom in the world to express yourself, speaks to you really well.
“He reminds me so much of Carlo Ancelotti, no jokes about that, his man management is top. He speaks to players really well. He is so humble. He communicates with players really well, puts his arm around you.
“He gets his players on his side, that’s so important. You could see coming in on short notice and getting the team to play so well. You can’t teach them so much in such a short space of time.”
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“…his man management is top.”
Something Siasia and Oliseh lacked. Often clashing with their players and other staff cos of oversized egos (Oliseh at Santander, in Super Eagles against Mikel, Enyeama, and Emenike; and even during his playing days prior to the 2002 WC, amd protocol officials during 2000 Afcon trophies presentation).
Afterwards Okocha, who never clashed with or reacted negatively to sharp criticisms by Westerhof, fans, or other coaches over his playing style, was made SE captain.
As for Siasia, Westerhof promptly replaced him with Amokachi cos the latter didn’t want Yekini to be doing all the scoring. He wanted the spotlight too.
As coach, he sabotaged 2012 Afcon qualification cos of ego clash with Enyeama. Yanked him off and put Aiyenugba. That was the end of the Afcon dream and Aiyenugba’s SE career. He and Mikel still don’t see eye to eye, despite working together at the 2018 Olympics.
As players, Eguavoen and Keshi were not always the fan’s or coaches’ favorites, but they both had good man management and rarely openly clashed with anyone either during their playing days or as coaches. No wonder they were both SE captains (Oliseh’s tenure was fraught with issues) and are also successful SE coaches.
SUMMARY: Successful coaching or national team captainship goes beyond technical know how. Solid man management skills are a big part of the mix. No wonder Ancelloti is almost invincible at Real Madrid.
I believe in Eguavoun.the African Anceloti
Eguavinho should give more time to build super eagles nff should give him more souport.
Eguavinho Cerezo
Just washed the goal Scored by Ademola against Rwanda. Pls does anyone know exactly why the goal was disallowed?
FF2,
Either Semi Ajayi was offside (which is illegal because offside rules do not apply in throw-in set pieces) or Semi Ajayi pushed the Rwandan defender before heading to Lookman, which itself is bullsh*t.
If the NFF is interested in the development of football in the country, the local coaches deserve more encouragement.
Thanks bro@Deo
This Mikel is becoming a nuisance this days. He talks too much and as a result spewing irrelevant things. So because he was brought in short notice and gotta win against Benin and a draw against Rwanda we will not rest. Why didn’t he talk when he failed woefully at Afcin and also failed to qualify for world cup? mtcheww Because you are retired now you suddenly becomes a saint and Mr know it all criticising every players, coaches left and right with your stupid podcast. We remembered when they used to call you slow, Mr back passer etc
Augustine Eguavoen is the suitable local coach who is worth one who can lead Super Eagles to the new highs cause he man management , he is humble , effective coach , he gives SE players freedom to play , advise them on how to play , the formation which they like to put ; Eguavoen just need to choose merit players , he should not deal with sentiment, NFF also must deal him just like foreign coach just they should grant his salary with Dollar , NFF must grant him about $ 50000 monthly , pave for him the road to success , release his hand to do anything which SE can benefit; also NFF must grant his assistants coaches with Dollar, Eguavoen can hire foreign coaches to assist him ; if NFF would like to help Eguavoen to success on this reign , they must do somethings to help him to make incredible and formdible SE in Africa just like they deal with foreign coaches…
Nawa for you Nigerians ooo, so na 4-time failure coach Una dey praise like this just because he beat Benin Republic at home and can only get a 0:0 draw away in Rwanda (ordinary Rwanda o).
I tire for all of Una o, failure has become synonymous with being a Nigerian indeed
@Hassan they must not pay him with dollars the most important thing is total souport from the nff and the fans,