Super Eagles of Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr says he does not have a problem with the appointment of the former captain of the team Joseph Yobo as the team assistant coach. He said he has already started working with him as the former Everton football club captain called him immediately he was appointed.
While saying that he was impressed with the passionate attitude Yobo has shown since he was appointed an assistant coach of the Nigerian football senior team, the 66-year-old German tactician said he was already looking forward to having a good working relationship with the former defender.
When Imama Amapakabo, former assistant coach of the Super Eagles, was sacked by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over the poor outing of the country’s home based Eagles, there were speculations that Gernot Rohr was not carried along.
When the NFF decided to appoint Joseph Yobo as Imama’s replacement early in February, the German tactician was reportedly not carried along until he heard on the news that he has gotten a new assistant.
Hence, critics and some pundits began to speculate that Gernot Rohr whose contract with the NFF will expire in June, may find it difficult to work with someone who was reportedly imposed on him.
I have accepted Yobo’s appointment – Gernot Rohr
Contrary to speculations, Rohr told ESPN in an interview that he has accepted the appointment of Joseph Yobo. He noted that his former assistant was a good coach but he could not fault the decision of the NFF.
He said: “It is interesting to have such a former player (Yobo) with us.
“I was satisfied with the job of Imama. He was a very good assistant. But NFF decided to change so I have to accept, and I accept. I see that this person now is in a good spirit and I am happy about it. There will not be any problem with our staff.
“I think it only could be so easy to say let’s do two years more. Nothing special from my side that I want more. So it could be very easy.
“We spoke together; he gave me the first call and then I called him back and we are in touch regularly. I even asked him to help me already because I cannot move for the moment to make connections and contact our players in Nigeria.
“I asked him to meet and speak with Ikechukwu Ezenwa, with Ifeanyi Ifeanyi who was with us for one of the last games.
“There is also Samuel Kalu, who is also in Lagos because he was able to take one of the last planes out of France.
“So I asked him to be in touch with some of our players who are in Nigeria, and that is what he did.
“I am happy to see that he has a good motivation and is in good spirits and I think we can have a good working relationship together.”
The German-born tactician has been stuck in France where he based due to the coronavirus lockdown in the country. He is expected to reach an agreement with the NFF on contract renewal before June when his current contract expires.
