Sixty one year old Swede, Lars Lagerback, who would pilot the Eagles' affairs during the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa has said that he will include players from the domestic league if he finds good and talented players there.
Lagerback, who was full of smiles when he stepped out of the car at the NICON Luxury hotel to face a 10-man panel that screened him for the national team's job spoke briefly with journalists.
Dressed in a grey suit, the Swede was still beaming with smiles when he walked out of the interview venue with astute confidence. The man who took Sweden to the Round of 16 at the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals, spoke on his vision for the Eagles and other matters.
Lars Lagerback, you are welcome to Abuja. Please tell us, how much of Nigeria do you know?
Lars Lagerback: I've never been to Nigeria, this is my first time and it's really nice to come here.
How much of Nigerian players do you know?
Since the opportunity for this job came up I have looked into it a little bit more. Of course I've been following the team and I saw Nigeria play against Ghana during the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations and I've seen some of the Nigerian players playing in Europe and of course I can't say I followed it very closely but in 2002 and 2003. I know some of the players, I would say.
Looking at the semi-finals challenge given as target for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, how do you feel about it?
From what I have seen in Nigerian players, I mean you have good individual skills. And I know that the team needs to be organised, it needs to be disciplined and all that. But for me as a coach, I think the individual skills can do really well in the World Cup. So, if you just think of a team and the players together, if they are fit and ready to play on this level, I think Nigeria have good chances.
What's your philosophy of football?
The basic is always to win matches, that's the most important thing when you come to football on this level, but otherwise I was brought up in a small football country.
So I believe you have to have a good cooperation in the team, a good organised team, the players work hard for the tournament, because if you want to win in anything...if you go to Barcelona, or you go Brazil or Nigeria to win something, you really have to get good cooperation in the team, that's important philosophy for me.
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I THINK LAGERBACK IS AN EXPERIENCED COACH FROM HIS PROFILE BUT LETS HOPE THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH HIS COACHING ACTIVITIES OR PROVOKE HIM CUZ THEY ARE FOND OF THAT.UP YOU "THE SUPER EAGLES; 2010 IS YOURS" ITS LEFT FOR YOU TO PROVE IT.GOODLUCK
ReplyDeleteIndeed James. As long as they let the fellow manage the club without any political interference. He might just be able to put the Super Eagles back to were they belong...The top team in African football!
ReplyDeleteMy word to Mr Lars is that for him to take Super eagles to the top is to ignore Nigerian Politicians. They are threats to the Country's success. Tony Monap
ReplyDeleteWell said Tony...Na wetin finish us for that 94 World Cup!
ReplyDeleteAm highly optimistic that Nigeria will do well in the world cup if Nigerian Politicians dont put there eyes there,i wish them good luck,Good Nigeria one people.
ReplyDeleteWell said Tony...Na wetin finish us for that 94 World Cup!
ReplyDelete