Erico blasts Oliseh, says Eagles’ manager is rude

               

Erstwhile Super Eagles Assistant Coach, Joe Erico on Monday came down hard on Sunday Oliseh for his unguided utterances over his team’s CHAN 2016 first round ouster.

Reacting to comments credited to Oliseh in which the Belgium based Super Eagles manager labelled his critics as insane persons, Erico, who in his heyday kept the post for Nigeria said every man is open to criticism.

“The job of a coach is one that is always in the public eye and I don’t see why he is averse to criticism. Oliseh was one of the biggest critics of Stephen Keshi when the latter was in charge. As a coach, you are bound to face criticism. What you do is to take them in good faith and make use of the good ones.

“Oliseh went too far in his comments. It shows that he is not mature. You don’t insult a whole nation because people criticised your team. Criticisms make you a better manager. There’s no way everyone would like what you’re doing with the team and if it happens, then there is a big problem.”

The jogo bonito exponent who had worked with NEPA of Lagos, Iwuanyawu Nationale of Owerri, Julius Berger of Lagos etc however stated that the real problem does not lie with Oliseh but the system of Nigeria football.

“Oliseh was not ready for the job and those calling for a foreign coach are making a mistake. A foreign coach is not the solution to our problem. We have indigenous coaches who can look administrators in the eyes and tell them the truth but they are never considerd.

“The real problem goes all the way down to our club sides because that is where disciple is taught. Oliseh is toying with his job because he did criticise other coaches before now.”

Meanwhile, Oliseh on Monday sent a letter of apology to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after his recent attacks on the federation as well as his perceived critics.

Nigeria failed to reach the knockout stage of CHAN 2016 leading to speculations over the future of Oliseh as Eagles coach.

Oliseh in turn fired back, saying his team was not motivated to go farther in the competition in Rwanda.

He also took timeout to fire salvos at “insane” critics, particularly his former international teammates, who he claimed have been most unfair to him with their attacks in the media.

A close source to the Eagles coach disclosed: “Oliseh has just sent a letter apologising for his utterances and actions.

“He said he is sorry, that he never wanted to attack the NFF or embarrass them, but rather he wanted the whole world to know they have not been given money.

“He also said he has been very frustrated after the heavy attack on him and his team after Nigeria’s exit from CHAN.”

Oliseh’s seven months in charge of the Eagles have been marked by controversies.

He fell out with former captain Vincent Enyeama with striker Emmanuel Emenike also quitting international football during that time.

He has also gone public with the money problems affecting his team at CHAN to the embarrassment of his employers.

SUN