Ex-Eagles player and coach of Suphanburi FC in Thailand Premier league, Adebayo Gbadebo on Tuesday called on the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to learn football management from Thailand.
Gbadebo, a former Sports Director of the Students Union Government, University of Ibadan was invited to the Super Eagles under the then Technical Adviser Clemence Westerhof in 1990.
The former international who was as the guest of the month on Ex-University of Ibadan Footballers Association online platform said even as it is good to learn from the English Premiership, the NFF should also learn about how results are being achieved in countries like Thailand with little resources.
“I want to assure us that football in Thailand has moved from the level where Nigerian football is at present. I have been in Thailand for two decades now so I have seen how they grew and I believe the best is yet to come because Thailand is now among the best leagues in Asia.
“It’s good to learn from the Premier League but I think a country like Nigeria needs to take one step at a time sometimes to learn from countries that are doing better than them despite the fact that they have less resources.”
The soccer tactician said even as he is willing to work for his fatherland, coaching the Super Eagles must be backed up by the needed logistics.
“National team job is different from club job. So it’s not only about giving somebody a national team job without giving them the right time and tools. Basic things like funds which must not be delayed.
“If they are in place, I am a proud Nigerian and I will love to be a national team coach of my country,” he said.
