Reliance on foreigners has stunted growth of African coaches –Nsien

By Daily Sports Nigeria on March 15, 2024

US U-19 national team coach, Michael Nsien, who has applied to coach the Super Eagles, tells ‘TANA AIYEJINA about his managerial journey from Tulsa FC, coaching in Africa, his Nigerian roots and more, in this interview

How has the experience been coaching the US U-16 and U-19 teams?

Working with the best players of a country that’s well over 300 million is a privilege. The sport has gotten its roots in the US and it’s amazing to witness. We can compete and win against anyone in those ages.

How demanding is the job of raising US future football stars?

It’s a very fine balance of keeping players both humble and also inspiring them to take on the world. There’s a lot of work in our process, but the reward is amazing.

Before the USSF appointment, you led Tulsa FC to their most successful era. What was the secret?

Camaraderie, too many times the team turned over players, that was a moment we had good core of players that helped the new players adapt to our style and culture.

The Premier League is every coach’s dream. Would you also like to manage a club there some day?

There’s no point of having small dreams. In this life you do the best you can and see where it takes you. Hopefully it’s to places you want, otherwise enjoy the experiences and the journey along the way.

Black coaches have struggled at the top level of coaching. What do you think is the problem?

The first problem is lack of opportunity. Coaches need to work, make mistakes, improve and go again. Black coaches aren’t getting the first opportunity, the few that have, aren’t getting the second. Also most jobs we seem to get have zero support and no one else wants. But we can’t say no.

African countries prioritise foreign coaches ahead of their local counterparts. How far do you think this has affected the game positively or negatively on the continent?

African countries prefer foreign and older coaches. Most of these foreign coaches are at the end of their careers and looking to collect a few last cheques. You can tell that some of these coaches are not there to make a difference. They are not connected to the country. Once the time runs out and the same results exist they move on. This has stunted the growth of our own coaches who find it hard to find jobs outside.

A local coach won the last AFCON. As a coach, what does imply?

Give, young, hungry coaches  an opportunity and they may deliver if the conditions are right. It won’t be from a lack of effort.

Some say the Super Eagles coaching job is one of the most demanding in the world. If you get a call to manage the squad, will you take it?

It is one of the most demanding for sure. One reason being that there are over 200 million opinions about the coach and team selection and performance. I know I would only thrive with that type of push. As a Nigerian American coach, I definitely believe I can achieve a lot for Nigeria with the talented crop of players we have. I would also do it in the style that Nigerians want to see. Brave, relentless, with flair.

African coaches like Sunday Oliseh, Pitso Mosimane and Ndubuisi Egbo have done great jobs outside Africa, yet coaches from the continent are still not in demand, what do you think is the problem?

We know that we are a population of people that people want to neutralise. The only thing we can do is to keep pushing forward and when the opportunity comes, take it with both hands. Don’t look back.

You’ve applied to coach the Super Eagles. What can you bring to the squad if you are given the job?

I could have the squad defensively disciplined, but have the balance better in the attack. We have too many top attacking players to sit back and take pressure. Get the players to be galvanised and feel valued by the federation and within the team, and win.

What are your goals as a coach?

It’s to continue to strive for greatness, control what I can control, but always be in pursuit.

What are your best and most challenging times as a coach?

I think it’s normal to have ups and downs, the toughest is to stay calm and never get too high or too low.

Are there coaches you admire their coaching philosophy?

I admire anyone who is brave enough to change the game. Guys like (Arsene) Wenger, Pep (Guardiola), (Jose) Mourinho and now (Roberto) De zerbi

Your dad is from Eket in Akwa Ibom State. How connected are you to your Nigerian roots?


 


 

Source Punch Ng

Posted March 15, 2024


 

You may also like...
Mati joins French club, eyes Nigeria recall

Battle Of Owerri: llechukwu Declares War On MFM...

Arsenal Too Good For Howe’s Newcastle

Nigerian fan seeks asylum in Russia after death...

IAAF Seeks to Overturn Semenya Decision

Rejuvenated MFM FC ready for NPFL restart –...

 

Latest News Nigeria beat Cameroon to reach IHF final 27 schools for Doregos Basketball Championship Super Falcons to play France’s Les Bleues in friendly SWAN suspends ban on coverage of Anambra FA activities Joshua among boxing’s top three earners in 2024 Oshoala makes history with Bay FC Nnamani hails team over IHF bright start Flamingos lift U-17 W’Cup Fair Play Trophy Rangers Intl, SWAN partner on sports collaboration in SE LAGOS SWAN CELEBRATES AIG ZONE 2 ON HIS BIRTHDAY AND 30 DAYS IN OFFICE Traders Cup: Upholstery Soccer Team Secured 2nd Win To Advance To Round Two Lagos SWAN Celebrates Oba Akiolu, Iyaloja General, AIG Fayoade

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,140 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,267 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,349 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (43,990 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (43,930 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (43,877 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,717 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,287 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,331 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,034 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,488 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (38,915 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media