GODWIN Bamigboye, a member of the FCT Football Association (FA) board, on Wednesday in Abuja called for a better deal for coaches in Nigeria, saying they needed to have job security.

Bamigboye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that it was time Nigerians see coaches as the foundation of football leagues in the country, just the way they see players.

“This will go a long way in checkmating the reckless hiring and firing of coaches at every opportunity,” he said.

Bamigboye urged coaches to also ensure always, as a way of stemming indiscriminate sacking, that they have signed contracts with clubs.

“For example, in other climes, the club officials or managers also go as far as unveiling coaches, just as they do to players. So, Nigeria should not be different.

“Coaches ought to be unveiled, with grand ceremonies too, and they should have their contracts signed.

“These are just two ways —- signing contracts and unveiling —- of showing we care about them, and that we regard them as important aspects of the football development channel.’’

He condemned in strong terms the owing of coaches’ salaries and allowances by many clubs, saying it was detrimental to the development of football.

“It is discouraging for coaches to be owed and it is capable of bringing about dwindling performances.’’

Bamigboye however said the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should lead by example by ensuring it pays immediately the arrears of salaries and allowances it is owing some of its coaches.

“It is a way of leading by example. We cannot continue to have the NFF, which should be the one to call to order the clubs owing their players, being a culprit itself,’’ he said. (NAN)

– Feb. 20, 2019 @ 12:25 GMT |