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Nigeria cannot afford
Eriksson
Athole Still, the FIFA licensed agent of former England boss, Sven Goran-Eriksson
has revealed exclusively to Nigeriansportsonline.com’s sister publication;
Complete Sports, that Nigeria cannot afford to hire his client.
Still, who only yesterday dismissed as wicked and rubbish the rumours that
Nigeria has had discussions with Eriksson to tinker the Eagles to the 2010
World Cup said in a telephone interview from his base in England that
Nigeria cannot afford the Swede.
“I doubt very much if the Nigerian Football Federation could make the
financial offer that could be acceptable to Mr. Eriksson,” Still said.
The agent also dismissed as rubbish the reports that Eriksson has also
agreed to take a massive pay cut if he gets the job.
The following is the conversation Complete Sports editor, Dare Esan had with
Mr. Still.
Good afternoon Mr. Still. My name is Dare Esan. I am the editor of Complete
Sports, Nigeria’s number one daily sports paper.
Hi. I have been receiving so many calls from Nigeria recently. In fact I got
one on my answering machine but couldn’t understand the message he left.
Well, I called yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon but was told by a man in your
office that you had gone out and left your mobile behind.
Oh, it’s you. Yes your message was delivered about the Eriksson story. I
think the story should have been on Nigerian radio because I spoke two days
ago to Colin Udoh (editor of GOAL newspaper), another journalist from
Nigeria. I just told him that there is no on-going negotiation with Mr.
(Sven Goran) Eriksson at all.
It’s as simple as that.
But one of Eriksson’s assistants while with England, Tord Grip said he
(Eriksson) had a discussion with Nigeria.
The point is that he (Eriksson) met one of your sports officials informally
in Stockholm (capital of Sweden). It was not an arranged meeting… they just
met at a place and it was explained that Nigeria was looking for a coach and
might be interested in Mr. Eriksson.
There were no serious discussions, no serious offer was made.
It was just a conversation, an informal conversation and that’s how it has
stayed.
So no contract was discussed. Well Mr. Still, let us now say an offer was
made, will Mr. Eriksson consider it. Will he be ready to handle Nigeria?
Well it is still difficult to say, one will have to look at what the offer
is.
I would say Mr. Eriksson has had several offers in recent months but none of
them is what he is looking for.
So, I doubt very much if the Nigeria football federation could make the
financial offer that could be acceptable to Mr. Eriksson.
But it was reported here in Nigeria that he (Eriksson) is willing to take a
massive pay cut to coach Nigeria.
That’s absolute rubbish. Mr. Eriksson never said anything like that.
Thanks for talking to us and for throwing light on the rumour.
You are welcome and it’s good you called to get your facts right before
publishing.
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4 2006