By Daily sports on December 12, 2020
Emmanuel Amuneke has revealed the reason why he rejected a chance to become the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) technical director was because of his current involvement with a club.
The 49-year-old is believed to still be under contract with Egyptian side El Makkasa after joining the club initially as a coach before he was given the position of technical director.
Amuneke joined El Makkasa after leaving his role as coach of the Tanzania national team, following their abysmal performance in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where they failed to win a single game before their exit from the tournament.
The former international won a number of laurels during his playing years for the Super Eagles and guided Nigeria to win the 2015 U17 World Cup.
Amuneke revealed he was approached by the NFF to take up the role of Nigeria’s technical director – which was subsequently handed to Austin Eguavoen – and explained why he rejected it.
“I was approached by the NFF for the role of a technical director but I had a contract with the people I was working with and I needed to respect the contract,” Amuneke told Punch.
“I was in a difficult situation with my team as of that time and we were in a relation battle.
“Though my country comes first, I needed to respect my employers. They said they wanted me till after the season.”
Amuneke also ruled out the possibility of becoming Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr’s assistant in future, explaining he would be a threat to his job.
“No! Why? I have my principles. We are ready to serve our nation. But as individuals, we have our reputation to protect,” he continued.
“If I come on board, I am a threat to Rohr. If I am here as an assistant, he will lose more concentration. He will think I am there to take his job.
“We have decided to give him the job, but let us support him. If Nigerians decide that Amuneke, we need your service, I will be there. But it is not possible [to be Rohr’s assistant]. What will I be saying? He has his own philosophy, I have mine.
“Nobody has ever told me to come and be an assistant coach and if it’ll be, it is not possible, it will never be.
“I am not better than anybody. I am not arrogant. It is unfortunate that we don’t respect our stars in Africa. I deserve a little bit of respect and I didn’t reject any job. (Goal)
•PHOTO: Emmanuel Amuneke
Source Daily sports
Posted December 12, 2020
You may also like...
GTI congratulates NFF, Lookman, others on CAF Awards...
Dele-Bashiru Set For Six-Month Injury Layoff
Obama Hails Rashford For Child Food Poverty Campaign...
Finidi begins work at Rivers, holds first training...
Benfica Take Huge Step Closer To Champions League...
Galatasaray crowned Turkey Super League champions for 21st...

WCQ: Chelle claims DR Congo official used voodoo during penalty shootout
Anyanacho wins bronze at Islamic Game
FirstBank secures partnerships for Lagos Open
Nigeria wins best country crown at World Scrabble Champs
Our best wasn’t enough, Nwabali laments DR Congo defeat
'One of the best in Africa' - DR Congo coach admits Leopards are not on Super
We can’t celebrate yet – Chelle
Eagles coach deserves praise – Adepoju
Osimhen leads Nigeria’s push for World Cup lifeline
Islamic Games: Nigeria celebrates boxing, weightlifting medals
African U-20 champ Oyibu joins Baylor University
Nigeria 4-1 Gabon: Eagles soar into World Cup playoffs final
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,344 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,568 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,506 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,134 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,125 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,048 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,888 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,474 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,595 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,170 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,554 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,037 views)