John Mikel Obi Slams Former Super Eagles Captain, Names Him Worst Coach Ever

• John Mikel Obi is one of Nigeria's most decorated midfield icon
• The former Chelsea star retired from football in the summer of 2022
• Mikel recently hit out at a former Super Eagles gaffer, naming him the worst-ever

In the ever-changing world of football, it's not uncommon for players and their managers to experience conflicts during their collaborative journey.

At times, these disagreements are successfully addressed and resolved, while in other instances, they persist throughout the players' careers and, on occasion, endure for a lifetime.

Nonetheless, as the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) continues to herald the continent's footballing scenes, a former winner of the competition and former captain of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, John Mikel Obi, has opened up on a rift he had with one of his coaches of the National team, and further labelling him his worst manager ever.

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Mikel on rift with Super Eagles coach

In a recent episode of his ObiOnePodcast, the 36-year-old retired football legend delved into his experience with former Nigerian national team captain Sunday Oliseh, expressing unequivocal dissatisfaction with Oliseh's managerial skills.

"He (Oliseh) was completely clueless as a manager. While he was a fantastic player in his prime, his coaching abilities were terrible. He had no grasp of managerial duties and lacked direction," Mikel candidly stated on the podcast.

According to Mikel, players struggled to comprehend Oliseh's methods, and the coach seemed disoriented, disrupting the team's unity.

Mikel recalled Oliseh's dismissal, revealing that the coach attributed his failure to supernatural forces, claiming the people and Football Association had used voodoo against him.

"He was undeniably the worst manager I played under. Bitterness and jealousy seemed to consume him, and he displayed a complete lack of respect in his interactions, be it with the physio or anyone else."

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Mikel's sentiments echoed that of numerous players who experienced Oliseh's coaching during his tenure as the coach of the Nigerian national team. Oliseh's reign witnessed the departure of Vincent Enyeama, one of Nigeria's best-ever goalkeepers, following a rift with the coach.

Oliseh's tumultuous stint culminated in his dismissal as the national team boss shortly after failing to qualify for the AFCON in 2015. Subsequently, the 49-year-old ventured into coaching clubs in Europe, with his most notable role being at German outfit Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Dosu Joseph on Oliseh’s celebration

Sports Brief in a previous report highlighted former Super Eagles goalkeeper Dosu Joseph has explained the reason behind Sunday Oliseh’s iconic celebration at the World Cup in France in 1998.

The midfielder who scored a belter in the group stage fixture against Spain, celebrated wildly by pointing to the stands and chanting the name of his former teammate ‘Dosu’, ‘Dosu’.

Nigeria would go on to see a historic FIFA World Cup victory against La Roja.