NFF President Sani Lulu Abdullahi told KickOffNigeria.com that the three indigenous coaches had been told in no uncertain terms that it was in their own best interests to ensure that Lagerback got every support he needed to succeed.

"We had a meeting with them where we made it very clear that if Lagerback is fired today, they will not automatically take over. They will be fired too," Lulu said.

"So it will be in their own best interests to so everything they can to make sure that he succeeds, because as long as he is there, they will be there too. If he goes, they go."

Lulu explained that although the federation had every confidence in the Nigerian trio, there was the need to put the fail-safe option in place as a precaution.

"Of course we know that they are patriotic Nigerians who will not do anything to undermine their country. But it is important for us to let them know that Lagerback's success will be their success, and his failure will be their failure."

He added that that was the reason why Eguavoen was also fired when his former boss Berti Vogts was let go.

"We wanted to keep him and Ike Shorunmu, but we needed to make everyone understand that the coaching crew are a team, and the failure of one is the failure of all. So they had to go."

Reports say Eguavoen has been offered a contract similar to what former coach Shuaibu Amodu currently has, while Amokachi and Alloy Agu stay on their current deals of N1.5 and N1 million respectively.

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Tayo:2010-03-10 14:55

lulu is a joke

13thSniper:2010-03-10 15:08

We just dont like doing things the right way...this would have been done long before time but NFF were just proving to us how stupid they are by sticking with amodu...and now they bring in a new guy and tag it " for the fans"...noo both the fans and players asked for a new coach long before now..we all knew NFF bowed to the bigger guys. I'm a faithfull SE fan and always ope things go right for the team but if i want to be logical, it'll be a suprise for SE to perform well in south africa with this time frame...And include urself NFF crew under this condition too if SE should fail in the mundial...u'll leave too as faithful Nigerians cos u've failed too bad cos most of this problem came from u hiring a block head who can't even tell his players what to do on pitch rather begs them to win so he can keep his job.

shola:2010-03-10 15:13

This should not be the mind set of a serious boss. You forget those things that are behind and press forward to the things that are before; How can you start to talk about failure when the job has not sarted. MR SMALL MIND LULU.

jeff:2010-03-10 15:24

One of the REASONS why a coach should be allowed to choose his backroom staff and not the other way round!!

Garvey:2010-03-10 15:28

He is more than a joke. Why take such issue to the press.

nelson:2010-03-10 15:33

the reason why i'm still asking the purpose of 5 months contract?why not 2 yrs minimum to enable him plan real football developments.@shola,any thing can happen in football very fast,but notwithstanding we must accord him total surport to succed.


nelson4u.

smart:2010-03-10 15:55

It is very sad that we have people with low IQ controlling every aspect of Nigeria administration. The pronouncement from lulu is very pathetic and contradicting, why would Amokachi and Alloy Agu be retrained while Amadu was demoted if the failure of the technical adviser is a technical team failure, again why Eguavoen and not Siasia if Legerback says his team is going to be made around the Olympic team.

Frank:2010-03-10 16:26

I think too many cooks spoil the broth. Lars will also be coming in with his assistants. I wonder what Eguavoen and Amokachi will be doing. Agu is goalkeeper trainer and thus won't be doing duplicated work, as for the rest na them know.

Original

end:2010-03-10 16:51

It is high time we forumist sat down and think like a human being b4 posting anything.This is the best decision as far as I am concern, this is the only wa to ensure coherent and good working relationship.When you know that the failure of your boss is your failure will you not be serious and work towards not failing?I wonder why people like abusing and saying rubbish always about NFF even when their decision is in our interest.Thanks NFF for this contract clause.

gerry:2010-03-10 17:06

Look who is talking, Mr Lulu, you shouldn't really still be in that post of yours. you were meant to sink with Mr Amodu.

How come he sunk and you are still afloat. you don't keep to your words do you.

Take a good look at yourself in the mirror. Someone is your boss, he should have fired you.

Men, if Lars and the trio fail, then it means that you have failed as well. because you hired them. in that case you such go.


If you had such a meeting with the trio, i don't think it was wise coming public with it. Allow the trio to do they job without fear.

being tensed up can lead to mistakes, so the need to feel relaxed.

Clovis:2010-03-10 18:13

Okay Lulu, now that you have informed them of their faith, what tools have you given them to succeed? Please let us know as well. Austin Eguavoen, Daniel Amokachi and Alloy Agu help pick Lagerback? The coach's failure is their fault?
Are you hand picking their players as well? Maybe you should include yourself, as a matter of fact, all NFF members should be fired if Lagerback fails. You guys picked him, didn’t you?

Billion:2010-03-10 18:41

If it's like that, how come Amokachie is still retained in the SE while Amodu was redeployed to the Home Eagles? Amokachie should have gone him if this principle should be followed!!

Billion:2010-03-10 18:43

my error..

have gone with him

Garvey:2010-03-11 00:01

Typical of Billion. He will never stop discussing Amodu. Billion, Amode is history, so stop bringing in AModu all the time. Enough of Amodu

moneyman:2010-03-11 00:57

See another blunders from NFF,and their brothers from Ivory Coast. When are we going to learn how to do things in proper ways in Africa? Ivory Coast just signed. 2 months contract with Guus Hiddink. What can he do within 2 months?

Soccer:2010-03-11 08:52

Soccer Prof.

@ End: Your analysis about coherent and good working relationship if all the
Coaches know that the "failure of the Head-Coach is the failure of all" makes
perfect sense! However, that analysis is NOT ideal in this situation!

First of all, Coach Lagerback did not pick the 3 Nigerian Coaches to work for
him, since he has no idea of how effective they will be! Secondly, The Nigerian
Assistant Coaches did NOT pick Coach Lagerback as their Boss! The NFF
did all that in the 11th hour, knowing too well that there is not enough time to
assemble a formidable team and be fully prepared for the WC!

In a situation like this, Coach Lagerfield should have been given the full option of
picking his own Assistants and the 'Buck stops' with him. In that case, they all
"swim or sink" together as a team! By forcing Assistant Coaches on him and a
Head Coach on the Nigerian Assistants so late in the 'ball game," the NFF has
weakened all the Coaches and should not lump them together whatsoever!

FYI: Coach Lagerfield was very clever enough to have deposited a copy of his
Contract with FIFA to be sure the NFF complies fully with the terms of the Contract. The Nigerian Assistants have no such luxury and remedy if there is
any contractual violation by the NFF!

Also, the major purpose of picking indigenous Coaches to assist a foreign Head
Coach should be for such Assistants to be able to take over at a later time!
Anything contrary to that is a waste of valuable resources and inefficient! No
Nation should rely on foreign expertise forever! Moreso, in football with an array
of talented Coaches, who only need some polishing and support to succeed!
I should know! I have been in all facets of Nigerian Football at all levels for over
5 decades!
I hope these points can be of help! Be Blessed all.

Regards,
Soccer Prof.

Soccer:2010-03-11 08:59

Soccer Prof.

@ End: Your analysis about coherent and good working relationship if all the
Coaches know that the "failure of the Head-Coach is the failure of all" makes
perfect sense! However, that analysis is NOT ideal in this situation!

First of all, Coach Lagerback did not pick the 3 Nigerian Coaches to work for
him, since he has no idea of how effective they will be! Secondly, The Nigerian
Assistant Coaches did NOT pick Coach Lagerback as their Boss! The NFF
did all that in the 11th hour, knowing too well that there is not enough time to
assemble a formidable team and be fully prepared for the WC!

In a situation like this, Coach Lagerfield should have been given the full option of
picking his own Assistants and the 'Buck stops' with him. In that case, they all
"swim or sink" together as a team! By forcing Assistant Coaches on him and a
Head Coach on the Nigerian Assistants so late in the 'ball game," the NFF has
weakened all the Coaches and should not lump them together whatsoever!

FYI: Coach Lagerfield was very clever enough to have deposited a copy of his
Contract with FIFA to be sure the NFF complies fully with the terms of the Contract. The Nigerian Assistants have no such luxury and remedy if there is any
contractual violation by the NFF!

Also, the major purpose of picking indigenous Coaches to assist a foreign Head
Coach should be for such Assistants to be able to take over at a later time!
Anything contrary to that is a waste of valuable resources and inefficient! No
Nation should rely on foreign expertise forever! Moreso, in football with an array
of talented Coaches in Nigeria, who only need some polishing and support to succeed! I should know! I have been in all facets of Nigerian Football at all levels for over 5 decades!
I hope these points can be of help! Be Blessed all.

Regards,
Soccer Prof.

Soccer:2010-03-11 09:19

Soccer Prof:

@ Garvey: How are you, my friend? Your comment on Billion is unjustified! As
much as Mr. Billion seems to enjoy posting controversial comments, he was on
point with his line of reasoning on this one. His argument was a logical "prima-
facie" case to Mr Lulu's assertion that Coach Egueavoen was fired with Coach
Voghts when the latter failed. The analogy of that firing to that of Coach Amodu
is striking and Mr Lulu should not have used such a flawed comparison. What is
wrong is wrong and there is no right way to do what is wrong!

I hope all of us can be very fair and objective in our comments at all times. Mr.
Billion was perfectly in order with his line of reasoning this time! No matter how
one views his argument, it remains valid. Be Blessed all.

Regards,
Soccer prof.

Tolu:2010-03-11 09:29

Going by this, methinks would have been in order to ask Amokachi to leave with Amodu. It logically follows from the Berti Vogts precedence where Eguavoen had to leave when his boss was sacked.

Billion:2010-03-11 10:17

@soccerprof, thanks.
@Garvey, no comments.

Soccer:2010-03-11 10:42

Soccer Prof:

@ Okey: My Friend Okey, I want to thank you for all the information you've been
providing about Coach Lagerback, who you seem to admire very much! There is
nothing wrong with furnishing the Forum with whatever factual information you
may have on the new Coach. That is much appreciated! Similarly, it is also okay
for others to state their views! We have to be tolerant of one another! There is
strength in Diversity, they say!

Please, tone down your attacks on Ken Gaddaffi and others! Combative and
abusive posture seem take away from the quality of rapport we all should have
in this Forum. Kindly try to avoid such attacks. Many times, what Ken Gaddaffi
posted have been very logical, even if we all have our own different views. There
have also been some other times when his posts may not seem logical. But, he
seems like a gentleman all the time, considering the abusive comments that were
rained on him and his mild responses to such! I saw that you're having an issue
with Oscar over his rejoinder on your "dosier of 70 Players" comment!

@ Ken Gaddaffi and Oscar: I hope both of you would remain calm and not try to
respond to attacks with any kind of anger or abusive statements! We can all
suppress our anger by walking away from the keyboard for some moments and come back to write when such anger has dissipated!

We should all strive to be civil with one another, regardless of whether we agree
to others' points of-view OR not. I believe every member of this Forum has the
best interest of our football at heart! May I conclude by stressing my favorite
Management Training statement that I always use at Seminars and Symposiums:
Our Opinions may vary, but our Goals are the same; Let's Work together!

Thanks, all and God Bless!

Regards,
Soccer Prof.

Soccer:2010-03-11 10:47

Soccer Prof:

Error: Meant to say: Combative and abusive posture seem to take away........

Garvey:2010-03-11 11:06

@Soccer - Thanks so much for your comment soccer prof.. I am doing very fine. Even if billion is right with his view I believe it is high time we leave Amodu out of the discussions. It does nobody any good if we continue bringing Amodu in all the time. Billion's fight for Amodu will not make the NFF to give him back the job of taking the Eagles to the world cup. We all know that the NFF took a lot of wrong decisions and that the sacking of Amodu at the time it happened was not the best for the Eagles but it has happened and we have to live with it. If Billion is talking of following principle then he is dreaming because those people at the glass house does not have any principle. Instead of wasting our energy on such discussion we should be talking and debating on how to make sure the same people will not come in again come the election in August. I have agitated for this several times on this forum but it seems no one care about it. I am now challenging all forumites once again to initiate or form an alliance and work towards getting those incompetent people out of the glass house. Anyone who want to have a chat with me one on one can either add me on their yahoo messenger with garvey_im@yahoo.de or on skype with garvey_im and we can discuss and look for a way forward.

oscar :2010-03-11 11:06

@ Soccer Prof,

Sorry, I saw your advice too late. Even though I refused not to respond to shallowness, I just wanted to let him know where he belong. I guess that will be my last comment to him. I do not intend to elongate the issue any further.

Thanks once again.

jeff:2010-03-11 11:56

KEN GHADA, DID YOU SEE MY TEAM MANUTD PLAY LAST NITE??
ROONEY IS FAST BECOMING ONE OF THE BEST[IF NOT THE BEST CURRENTLY] FEARSOME STRIKER IN THE WORLD.
I'M FAIRLY CONFIDENT THAT CHELSKI WIL GO THROUGH TO THE NEXT ROUND,CUZ IT WILL BE A HUGE UPSET IF THEY LOST AT THE BRIDGE.


I'm fairly confident that chelsea will go through to the next round. It would be a huge upset if they lost at the Bridge

mbanzai:2010-03-11 12:13

Strange, Eguavon was previously fired alongside Berti. How come he’s been recruited again? What’s the point in dismissing an individual if you’re going to re-employ them in the future? As the old saying goes: “only in Nigeria”.

Amodu is gone, Lulu & Ogunjobi must follow!!

Lexy:2010-03-11 12:55

I really don't think there is anything wrong with what the NFF head has said. It's very simple, the coaches are a team and should share the glory together when there is one. Also, when it's time to go, as a result of poor performance, all should go.

As for Amodu, he was not sacked but demoted. Those calling too for the head of Alloy Agu and Dan Amokachie, because they were all together, should understand this. I think we should let go the issue of Amodu. The man has gone on leave and should be allow to rest for now.

We must begin to think of the World Cup. It's about 3 months to go and the biggest singular sporting event in the world will begin in Africa. I just can't wait, because I know it''s going to the bomb.
Stay blessed!!

monday:2010-03-11 13:50

My dear fans in this forum,am so happy reading your messeges,i do not really know what kind of mentality and IQ, our people have,it is giving me a lot of concern,how can Lulu and his group be making such comments,first of why not live the foriegn coach to do his job and appoint his assistance, you people can see that there is a foul play, first they did not want to hire a foriegn coach if not b/cos of our continuos effort,and demand to do so, they scomb under pressure, that is why they are praying for the new coach and his crew dawnfall, but it will not happen in Jesus Name Amen,see what we have been crying for, see the kind of friendly match this coach lines up for us, oooooooo, am in short of word, after playing all these matches, who will tell me that he will not select the best who challenge any team in the world, i wish him well.
Egbogu

Lexy:2010-03-11 14:43

Guys, I want to find out from all of you in this forum, especially those who keep saying that NFF imposed the Assistants on Lagerback. Has Lagerback complained that people are being imposed on him? I want to belief that he is a professional and knows what he wants to succeed, and if his employer are doing otherwise, he simply resigns.

From all indication, I don't think Lagerback sees anything wrong with his Nigerian assistants. By the way, he is coming with some foreigners to assist him.

Stay blessed!!

Lexy:2010-03-11 14:44

Guys, I want to find out from all of you in this forum, especially those who keep saying that NFF imposed the Assistants on Lagerback. Has Lagerback complained that people are being imposed on him? I want to belief that he is a professional and knows what he wants to succeed, and if his employer are doing otherwise, he simply resigns.

From all indication, I don't think Lagerback sees anything wrong with his Nigerian assistants. By the way, he is coming with some foreigners to assist him.

Stay blessed!!

ken gadaffi:2010-03-11 17:09

@jeff, Man utd played well last night and rooney is really on fire. Sure Chelsea should go ahead to make it an Hatrick for the english teams.

I cant wait to see the draw come 19th march.

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

Billion:2010-03-11 17:11

@mbanzai, good comment/observation after a long while.

ken gadaffi:2010-03-11 17:25

@ frank(original) i have said it before that the cooks seem to be too much and I only hope the broth will be tasty.

@Soccer Prof, thanks for your wise counsel. You should know that i am not bothered by comments borne out of sentiments. There is no point being combative, rather i will ignore them. Thanks anyway

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

nelson:2010-03-11 20:49

@mbanzai,i totally agreed with you today for the first time.




nelson4u..