Sports
…As Confusion Reigns Over Coach’s Future
A top Nigeria Football Federation official says Lars Lagerback, who led the country to the 2010 World Cup, will not continue as Super Eagles coach.
Dominic Iorfa, who heads the technical department which is in charge of hiring coaches, was speaking on a local radio station in Lagos.
Last week another official told the Tidesports source that reports that Swede Lagerback would not return, were ‘baseless’.
But Iorfa has said that there was no indication Lagerback is coming back.
“The coach said he is not coming back, so it is very likely that Siasia will take over the job,” Iorfa said on Thursday, referring to ex-Nigerian international Samson Siasia who is now favourite to get the job.
Lagerback’s reign has been blighted by criticism in the local media over his salary, team selection, and tactics.
Nigeria failed to go past the group stage at the World Cup finals in South Africa prompting calls for a change in the playing and coaching staff by angry fans.
Siasia, who is in charge of local side Heartland FC, is highly favoured to land the job of turning round the fortunes of the faltering Eagles.
“The best of Nigerian football is what we aim to achieve as demanded by the fans, media and major stakeholders,” Iorfa added.
“There is just too little time left between now and the start of the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
“We’ll soon start discussion with Siasia.”
Meanwhile, Emeka Enechi, who is Lagerback’s Nigerian agent says the coach is not keen on a return to the job.
Enechi said he had spoken to Lagerback, who explained that it will be extremely difficult for him to work in the present environment at the NFF.
Sports
CHELSEA FANS GIVE ENZO MIXED RECEPTION
Enzo Fernandez was booed by some supporters on the day when Morgan Rogers scored on his first appearance for Chelsea in a 3-1 win against Real Sociedad.
Joao Pedro also continued his fine pre-season form with a double as manager Xabi Alonso offered a glimpse of what could be his blueprint for the season.
But the action was overshadowed by the reaction to Fernandez’s second-half appearance, less than 24 hours after Chelsea’s self-imposed transfer deadline had passed.
Fernandez had been keen to join Real Madrid earlier this summer before the Spanish club ended their interest in the Argentine.
His representatives later held talks with Manchester City, but no offer was made to meet Chelsea‘s £120m valuation before Friday’s deadline.
Fernandez was booed by some early arrivals at Stamford Bridge when his name was read out 45 minutes before kick-off.
There were then audible boos when Fernandez came on in the 62nd minute.
Chelsea supporters appeared divided, with others responding by chanting his name.
Yet, it was a signal of Alonso and Chelsea‘s backing that when Reece James left the field he passed his long-time vice-captain the armband as usual.
Each touch of the ball was greeted by a mixture of boos and cheers.
It followed attempts by some supporters to move on from a saga that appears to have ended with Chelsea now expecting to keep one of their best players.
Others, however, remain unhappy with his perceived disloyalty, having come out publicly about his desire to move to Madrid, with his agent Javier Pastore also claiming he is underpaid.
It will be interesting to see how supporters of the Premier League’s other 19 clubs react to Fernandez, given his celebrations and social media jibes after Argentina beat England in a World Cup semi-final in July.
That will remain an issue whether he remains at Chelsea or Manchester City elect to revive their interest and attempt to reunite him with his former manager Enzo Maresca before deadline day on 1 September.
It took Rogers only seven minutes to score his first goal in a Chelsea shirt as he reacted quickest after Alex Remiro saved Joao Pedro’s initial header.
The £117m club record signing from Aston Villa initially looked sharp and linked well with Cole Palmer and Pedro in Chelsea‘s front three.
Within 10 minutes of his debut, supporters were already chanting his name.
However, it was understandable that Rogers faded as the match wore on, given he had trained for less than a week since returning from holiday before his 62-minute outing.
Beyond Rogers, Joao Pedro has been the star of Chelsea‘s pre-season.
In this outing he headed Chelsea back in front in the 47th minute before adding a side-footed finish 30 minutes later to seal victory after Sociedad had equalised just before half-time through Jon Mikel Aramburu’s volley.
Chelsea lost control towards the end of the first half and looked vulnerable, but they were much improved after the break.
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