The Exit of Gernot Rohr and Eguavoen’s gain
By Isaac ORlEKA
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), announced the sack of the 68-year old Franco-German tactician, Gernot Rohr, from the Super Eagles as the head coach of the team following widespread disaffection bordering on the team’s performance amongst others. The termination of his contract took immediate effect in December 2021, a few weeks to the start of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), in Cameroon, from January 9 to February 6, 2022. He was appointed in August 2016, to guide the Super Eagles to the Nations Cup and World Cup in Qatar 2022, whereby his assignment with the NFF, would have ended officially in December 2022, according to the contractual agreement.
Since the NFF had no money to hire a new coach, Augustine Eguavoen, who has been a staff of the NFF, as its Technical Director, was appointed to replace Rohr, as the Technical Adviser of the Eagles on an interim basis. Rohr has been in charge of the three-time African champions for the past 64 months, that is five years and four months. He is Nigeria’s longest-serving manager, local or foreign till date. Who qualified Nigeria for two Nations Cup, and a World Cup finals in Qatar.
Amaju Melvin Pinnick, the ltsekiri born NFF President stated that “Rohr lost control of the team’s discipline and had to be fired.” Continuing, he said, “We don’t want to wait for a disaster to happen and he lost control of the dressing room while in charge of the Super Eagles”.
Rohr, could not assert discipline in the camp of the Eagles as he was fond of sneaking in ladies of different forms and shapes into his room for a night of pleasure, while in the camp of the team.” Any coach that wants to instill discipline in his camp must lead by example”, a source revealed further that one of the ladies said, how l go play with this yeyeOyibo man he go give me 5k for wetinna? What a shame to a randy coach of the national team.
ROHR’S POOR TECHNICAL INPUTS AND MANAGERIAL LAPSES
The Glass House, apparently through its Technical Committee noted that Rohr was performing below the bar and wrote the last letter that broke his backbone before the Nations Cup kick-off. That is, there were complaints based on his unsatisfactory performance, lack of discernable pattern, refusal to watch the league religiously and grow indigenous players. Also, his refusal to listen and take advice to improve on all Eagles matches.
For nearly six years on the saddle, the Committee explained further that, the sacked Rohr, never had a regular 11 starters’ as the longest-serving Eagles coach. He kept experimenting with the team as he contracted agents who kept discovering new players that he could try out. Ironically, his employers (NFF), who said, “We had to sack Rohr to avoid disaster” urged him on, and always saying the stuffed team was “work in progress”
Rohr, reacted swiftly to his employee’s claim, stating that he “did not fail”, but was a victim of a contract breach by the Glass House. A member of the NFF Technical Committee, Elder Paul Bassey, disclosed that Rohr met his target then why sack him? Saying the contract of the coach was taboo in the first place. The tactician revealed further that, too many suggestions from Nigerians and also not listening to the NFF cost him his job. “I only listen to the Technical Committee when it comes to player’s invitation”.
Aside from Rohr’s flaws, Super Eagles goalkeeper, lkechukwuEzenwa, has described Gernot Rohr as a “great father”.He is a man in my life l will never forget, Gernot Rohr is a good man, a great father, Ezenwa told Goal. Excitedly, Ezenwa said, “He is a man who sees players as his kids, with his management style” He might not be the best, but no one is perfect that is why l said coaching is like hiring and firing.” He handed me a space in the senior national team when Karl Ikeme, had ill health. This opportunity exposed my career and equipped me with new goalkeeping knowledge, traveling around the globe and so much more.
GERNOT ROHR FAREWELL COMMENT
“The team is young, the future is bright, l understand the criticisms, everyone wants the best, they want good football and great result but sometimes, it is not easy to achieve the two”.
“People should be optimistic l am not angry, all the best to the players and the new tariff”. He concluded.
THE MAN AUGUSTINE EGUAVOEN
Former Nigerian Captain, Augustine Eguavoen, fondly called (Cerezo), was coach of the Super Eagles when it finished third place at the African Cup of Nations in Egypt in 2006. He was on-field Captain when the Eagles lifted the Cup for the first time on away ground 27 years ago in Tunisia. He was appointed by the NFF to take charge of the Super Eagles as the 33rd African Cup Nations coach currently holding in Cameroon, as the interim Technical Adviser of the squad, after the Glass House in Abuja, ended their relationship with Gernot Rohr as manager of the Eagles.
He had been on the job before now. He knows the mentality, strengths, and weaknesses of the average Nigerian player. Eguavoen is an established ex-international, which is suiting and soothing for the team to win the AFCON,2021 trophy in Cameroon.
With a consortium of coaches under Eguavoen, Salish Yusuf, his assistant, Joseph Yobo, Augustine Jay JayOkocha, Kanu Nwankwo, and GarbaLawal have been appointed to provide technical and ambassadorial support for the crew to succeed in its quest for the Cup in Cameroon.
On his first outing as the interim manager, Eguavoen said, “Every Coach has their style, philosophy, and leadership. I told the players to see me as their brother, and father, my assistants l called them my colleagues. We have the privilege to serve the country and we must always give our best”.This spirit was creatively shown in the first game against Egypt when team zeal and winning intent was electrified something most Nigerians have not seen for ages.
Pinnck disclosed that Eguavoen can deliver the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon. That the NFF have absolute confidence in the present technical crew.” If Eguavoen wins the Nations Cup, it would be a plus. We will do a rethink”.He, however, revealed that all decision about the Technical Adviser job is under the Technical Department. They have to make a pronouncement on the appointment of a new team manager.
Will Eguavoen get the job even if he wins the Nations Cup? As a foreign manager, Jose Peseiro is waiting on the sideline to be named as the new substantive manager of the Super Eagles.
