Eagles former Coach, Gernot Rohr has disagreed with NFF President, Amaju Pinnnick, over the allegation of losing the dressing room
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former Super Eagles head coach and German tactician, Gernot Rohr, has disagreed with the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinick who accused him of losing the dressing room.
Rohr was sacked by NFF after a series of poor results in the World Cup qualifier and was replaced with former Nigerian international, Augustine Eguavoen, on an interim basis, pending the appointment of a permanent boss.
Justifying the decision in an interview with
Channels TV, Pinnick said the decision was taken in the best interest of the country, he also accused Rohr of losing the discipline in the team.
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He said: “He [Rohr] happens to be the longest-serving manager of the Super Eagles.
“We gave him all the support, but we didn’t want to wait for a disaster to happen before parting ways. The last two games were very tough games for us.
“We did everything that we could, but one major factor was that discipline in the team is lost practically.
“Players now talk back at you, players believe that they are indispensable. A lot of factors that will now militate against the team,”
Reacting to the allegation that he lost the dressing room, Rohr clapped back at Amaju Pinnick, as he told ESPN in a chat that the dressing room was completely behind him.
According to the 68-year-old tactician, it was a predetermined decision, which has no bearing on his performance as alleged by the NFF President.
“This is ridiculous. Everybody knows it. The dressing room was always with me.
“All the players are writing to me and thanking me for my professionalism, for my independent work, for my presence.
“The dressing room was 100% behind me. And I hope it will also be 100% behind the new coach.
“I think they already had this prepared. They brought the new coach [Eguavoen] one year ago, so he could have a look.
“He would ask for the technical reports because he was technical director and Paul [Aigbogun], his assistant, was doing for me the work of scouting the opponents,” Rohr said.
He also added, “But I wish them all the best because I want my players to succeed, to win the Afcon. I want Nigeria to go to the World Cup, and I’m sure that they will.”
