Olofinjana on why he turned down NFF’s technical director role
Olofinjana stated the reason for NFF's technical director role refusal
The former Wolverhampton midfielder was approached by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to occupy the role of technical director, the role Augustine Eguavoen now occupy. Olofinjana rejected the offer. He revealed the reason behind that decision in an exclusive interview with BBC sport Africa.
Before Augustine Eguavoen was appointed the technical director of NFF, Seyi Olofinjana, who after retirement from football went into football management, was approached for the role.
However, the ex-Super Eagles midfielder decline the offer, stating that it was both a difficult and easy decision for him. He said the response of NFF to the questions he asked them made it easier for him.
“I think NFF made it a little bit easier for me to make that judgment call. There were certain questions I asked of the federation that they were unable to answer.” Seyi told BBC Sport Africa
“What needs doing? Where do they think we are as a nation? Where do we need to get to? How quickly do we need to get to those places?
“I didn’t get answers to those questions and that is the day-to-day job for me. If there’s no clarity, there’s no going forward.”
Seyi was also quizzed whether he regretted the decision, he answered No, but he leaves the door open to work with NFF someday.
“Do I regret saying no? Absolutely not. Is there a part of me that thinks it could be a good opportunity for me to go and put myself in the history books and try to help my people? Absolutely! I’m still looking for that opportunity.
“I’ll continue to knock on the door. Any day. I don’t know the day. I’m Nigerian. I can’t change that.”
The former student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technologyy (LAUTECH), Oyo, Nigeria made the debut for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in 2000 and was part of the team that won bronze at Tunisia.
In his professional career, he played majorly for English clubs including Wolves, Stoke city, Cardiff city, Hull city, Sheffield Wednesday. The 41-year old hung his boot at Start, Norway.
After retirement, he went into management, and he is currently the technical director of Grasshopper Club Zürich in Niederhasli close to Zurich, Switzerland.
