Mikel Obi needs help

Erstwhile Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, believes former Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel, needs a psychologist following an interview on a podcast where he described the former manager as clueless.

In a recent chat with ElegebeteTV, the former Fortuna Sittard manager described Mikel as a kid seeking attention via podcast, adding that he won’t stoop low to engage in war of words with Mikel after his degrading comments in the public.

Reacting to his being described as the worst manager to ever coach the Super Eagles by Mikel, Oliseh went to display his best manager award, stressing that he remains the only black manager from Africa to have won the prestigious award in the Belgian Jupiler League.

“To be honest with you I think the kid needs a bit of help. I was voted the best coach at that time in Holland. The Best Manager Award in the Dutch League was not voted by the press but by players and coaches in the league, and I was the first and only coach from sub-Saharan Africa.’

“At the same time with Fortuna Sittard; a club made up of average players, we were able to qualify for the second division from the last position then to the first position where they still are now. And then we won a title.

“I don’t need to justify myself whether or not I’m a good coach and join issues with the kid. I call him a kid because my son is 27-years-old. When he made this statement, I heard about it. What do you expect me to do? Go on television and start an argument which I think is degrading.

“I would like to help the boy because I think he needs some help. You cannot become a legend with your mouth. You cannot achieve with podcast what you were unable to achieve on the field of play with your feet

“A fanatical Chelsea fan who is a friend of mine sent me a video because he calls Mikel my boy. He said: What is wrong with your boy? I was shocked when I watched the video. Never in the history of Nigeria had a footballer ever gone on a foreign podcast and humiliated his family by calling them beggars.

“This is why I said this disrespect of families and those older than you had to stop. In Africa, it’s a pride when you earn something and help your family. In fact, it is your duty as African to do that,” he told ElegebeteTV.

Oliseh revealed further that his altercation with Mikel started when he was benched for a home-based player, Paul Onobi against Eswatini during one of Nigerian games.

“I didn’t find him as the player I expected him to be when I was in charge, I didn’t see him good enough for that position. When we played a World Cup qualifier against Eswatini, because Mikel Obi played badly in the first leg, I opted for a home-based player, Paul Onobi. Onobi was voted by the opposing coach as the best player on the pitch.

” I have no grudges against Obi-Mikel, I am the one telling you now that if he needs help he can call me,” Oliseh concluded

It would be recalled that Mikel, on his podcasts, described Oliseh as clueless when he barked out orders to Super Eagles players from the touchline despite being a great player during his active days