Okocha’s coach laments NFF snub

By Ben Efe
Austin Jay Jay Okocha’s coach during his playing days at Eintracht Frankfurt, Dragoslav Stepanovic has said that he was disappointed that the Nigeria Football Federation did not invite him for interview, despite sending his credentials.

okocha

The Serbian born German coach, who  gave Okocha his first break in the German Bundesliga with Frankfurt said that he expected the NFF to allow him present his case for the job of coaching Nigeria not just to the World Cup, but developing youth talents in the country.

“I believe that I am the coach Nigeria needs right now. I have a long term plan for Nigerian football and I am ready to live and work in Nigeria and want to help develop grassroots football.

“ I am surprised the Nigeria Football Federation ignored me so far and only chasing after the big names,” lamented Stepanovic.

He claimed that his CV was twice sent to the NFF officials on January 30, 2010 and  February 15 2010 through his Nigerian contact, Licensed FIFA agent Ibi Ajayi of Omega Sports USA. But he did not receive an acknowledgment.

“ If the NFF can consider Bruno Metsu, Lagerback, Toppmoeller and Peter Taylor, then I should also be given a chance to prove myself. At least, I deserve an interview,” added the coach.

Stepanovic said that his experience of coaching in Germany, Spain, China, Egypt and his native Serbia, will benefit Nigeria.

He currently runs a youth academy in Germany for developing grassroots talent, a model he hopes to implement if given the opportunity to work in Nigeria. He is an accomplished television  pundit, fluent in English, German, Spanish and Yugoslav.