"It's frustrating and disappointing Africans are never considered for a coaching job abroad" - Emmanuel Amuneke

 

Nigerian football icon, Emmanuel Amunike says he will keep trying to apply for coaching jobs in Europe, despite being turned down by Spanish teams in the past.

According to Amuneke, who played for Sporting Lisbon, Barcelona and Albacete before winning the 1994 African Player of the Year, he is unmoved by constant snubs by Spanish teams even though he learnt the job of coaching in Europe.

He worked as an assistant manager at Saudi Arabian side Al Hazm before leading Nigeria to 2015 U17 World Cup glory in Chile before taking charge of Al Khartoum

He was also named as Tanzania senior national team coach after a season in Sudan.   He led Tamzania to their first Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 but was sacked after the team performed badly.

"It's frustrating and disappointing that despite playing here and undergoing your coaching training in Spain, Africans are never considered for a job in the country," Amuneke told BBC Sport Africa.

"I returned to Spain after winning the Under-17 World Cup and applied for jobs in the Spanish Leagues, but I was overlooked and not even shortlisted for interviews.

"A second division side in Spain showed strong interest through an agent, but despite my experience of playing in Spain, undertaking my coaching trainings here and winning the World Cup, it was not enough for them to put their trust in me.

"I'm not discouraged about this situation. I will continue to make myself available for any opportunities that may come or any vacant jobs that are open because Spain is where my family lives."

"You can only keep knocking on different doors politely with a positive mindset that one day they will open it for you," he continued.

"No one should feel entitled to any job or seek a tokenism role, but instead continue to seek an equal opportunity like other managers.

"You never know, the next job might be in the Spanish league or elsewhere. I am happy with what I have achieved and what I am doing.

"I can only continue to stay optimistic and hopefully the objective [to manage in Spain] will be achieved."