Manu Garba, the coach who led Kelechi Iheanacho and mates to win the FIFA Under-17 world cup in 2013 with Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets has advised the in form Leicester City striker not to return to his former club Manchester City on transfer,Completesports.com reports.
Garba’s advise stems from speculation that Manchester City intends to trigger the buy back clause in Kelechi’s contract when they sold him to his current club three seasons ago.
“Kelechi should reject Man City and continue his development in Leicester City under coach Brendan Rogers who revived his career. I doubt if Pep Guadiola will give him the kind of playing time he is enjoying under Rogers, if he makes the switch back to Etihad,” Garba said in an exclusive interview with Completesports.com.
“I am not surprised by his scintillating form which has seen him win the EPL player of the month award and notched 14 goals for the third placed Leicester and reached the FA Cup final. I have always believed that Kelechi is very talented and that if properly guided, he would become a world class forward.
“He has just begun to be the world class player I predicted he would be. Kelechi is still far from the big player we thought he would be. The world has yet to see his best. He didn’t become a hit early enough because he lost focus on getting to England, but he has retraced his step and on the right path to glory,” Garba who also coached Kelechi at FIFA Under-20 World cup told Completesports.com.
Garba added: “With Leicester City, Kelechi has added creativity to his game and he gives good assists to his co- striker more regularly now. He is now a player oozing with confidence and self-belief. If he remains focused and keep his form, I know bigger clubs will come for him, but certainly Man City under Guadiola no good for him.”
On Iheanacho’s difficulty in replicating his club form with the Super Eagles, Garba attributes it to lack of the right blend in the national team.
“it is because the Eagles hardly have enough time to train together before matches,” Garba said.
“I believe the national team coaches will get to know that his best position is support striker when they have long camping”.
By Richard Jideaka, Abuja
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COMMENTS
The boss has spoken! This advice is for Their and NFF!
Iheanacho too has to speak out so this coaches doesn’t isolate him in a position that doesn’t help him. NFF should create a program that will enable Manu Garba unearth more talents from time to time.
Well spoken coachee, Iheancho is a support striker! No need for any spiritual analysis, plus give the guy game time, and a fast center forward for quick interchange of passes-the opposition must always cry! He lost focus after the transfer from mancity to Leicester, all the shows, hanging out with comedians and etc were pulling him down the drain… Kudos to Brendan for reviving the boy, let’s hope he continues to realise his glorious destiny!
I have always say it that we will see the best of Kelechi the day, he play as a dual striking forward, that’s why I wanted him to leave Leicester for a better team that relish the best in him. But fortunately Roger has finally discover the best in him. With Kelechi Leicester and Super Eagle can be a world class team, If he can play like he did at the under17 world cup. Best of luck dude