Super Eagles interim coach, Samson Siasia, has taken a swipe at European clubs for failing to give black coaches a chance to manage their teams.
Siasia, whose team is currently in camp preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations two-legged qualifiers against Egypt, expressed his frustration at being constantly snubbed by foreign clubs.
Apart from ex-internationals, Sunday Oliseh and Daniel Amokachi, who had stints in lower leagues, no Nigerian coach has had the privilege of working with top European sides – a situation the former Nantes star finds disappointing.
“I want to believe that the reasons there are not many black coaches working in Europe are because the European clubs hardly give us a chance and they do not believe in us,” Siasia said on Wednesday.
“Many of us have not only played at the highest level in Europe, but have excelled, but even when we get our coaching badges there, these clubs still don’t give us the break we need to show what we can do outside the pitch.”
The tactician, who earned his coaching badges in the United States of America and Europe, cited the likes of former Chelsea midfielder, Claude Makelele, and Englishman John Barnes as good examples.
Siasia argued that despite the achievements of these European born ex-black players, they were constantly overlooked for a coaching role and quick to be dismissed.
“We have many ex-African players with French nationality, but I can only recall (Claude) Makelele who was at Bastia and that was it,” the 48-year-old queried.
“Where is John Barnes with all he achieved at Liverpool and even though he grew up in England and played for that country? He was not given much of a chance there as a coach.
“Where is another black coach, Chris Houghton? Where is he now?
“Many of us have good records as players and then coaches, but because the European clubs do not believe in us, we end up having to do something else.
“And even where they give us a chance, they are quick to dispense with us.
“Something is really not right, but I don’t want to put any name to it.”
Siasia has handled almost all the levels of Nigerian football – with the Golden Eaglets the only exception.
The coach who had two stints in charge of the Super Eagles, Flying Eagles and Dream Team, has also managed local sides – Heartland FC and Ocean Boys in recent past.
