US U-19 national team coach, Michael Nsien, who has applied to coach the Super Eagles, tells ‘TANA AIYEJINA about his managerial journey from Tulsa FC, coaching in Africa, his Nigerian roots and more, in this interview.
How has the experience been coaching the US U-16 and U-19 teams?
Working with the best players of a country that’s well over 300 million is a privilege. The sport has gotten its roots in the US and it’s amazing to witness. We can compete and win against anyone in those ages.
How demanding is the job of raising US future football stars?
It’s a very fine balance of keeping players both humble and also inspiring them to take on the world. There’s a lot of work in our process, but the reward is amazing.
Before the USSF appointment, you led Tulsa FC to their most successful era. What was the secret?
Camaraderie, too many times the team turned over players, that was a moment we had good core of players that helped the new players adapt to our style and culture.
The Premier League is every coach’s dream. Would you also like to manage a club there some day?
There’s no point of having small dreams. In this life you do the best you can and see where it takes you. Hopefully it’s to places you want, otherwise enjoy the experiences and the journey along the way.
Black coaches have struggled at the top level of coaching. What do you think is the problem?
The first problem is lack of opportunity. Coaches need to work, make mistakes, improve and go again. Black coaches aren’t getting the first opportunity, the few that have, aren’t getting the second. Also most jobs we seem to get have zero support and no one else wants. But we can’t say no.
African countries prioritise foreign coaches ahead of their local counterparts. How far do you think this has affected the game positively or negatively on the continent?
African countries prefer foreign and older coaches. Most of these foreign coaches are at the end of their careers and looking to collect a few last cheques. You can tell that some of these coaches are not there to make a difference. They are not connected to the country. Once the time runs out and the same results exist they move on. This has stunted the growth of our own coaches who find it hard to find jobs outside.
A local coach won the last AFCON. As a coach, what does imply?
Give, young, hungry coaches an opportunity and they may deliver if the conditions are right. It won’t be from a lack of effort.
Some say the Super Eagles coaching job is one of the most demanding in the world. If you get a call to manage the squad, will you take it?
It is one of the most demanding for sure. One reason being that there are over 200 million opinions about the coach and team selection and performance. I know I would only thrive with that type of push. As a Nigerian American coach, I definitely believe I can achieve a lot for Nigeria with the talented crop of players we have. I would also do it in the style that Nigerians want to see. Brave, relentless, with flair.
African coaches like Sunday Oliseh, Pitso Mosimane and Ndubuisi Egbo have done great jobs outside Africa, yet coaches from the continent are still not in demand, what do you think is the problem?
We know that we are a population of people that people want to neutralise. The only thing we can do is to keep pushing forward and when the opportunity comes, take it with both hands. Don’t look back.
You’ve applied to coach the Super Eagles. What can you bring to the squad if you are given the job?
I could have the squad defensively disciplined, but have the balance better in the attack. We have too many top attacking players to sit back and take pressure. Get the players to be galvanised and feel valued by the federation and within the team, and win.
