Football has taken a significant hit since the dreaded COVID-19 disease emigrated from China, and the Super Eagles head coach has opened up on how it has also affected him
German tactician Gernot Rohr has revealed that he has given up a fraction of his salary as part of his contribution towards the fight against the contagious coronavirus.
The generous gesture comes even as Rohr is currently negotiating the possible extension of his contract – which expires at the end of June – with the Nigeria Football Federation.
The last match the former Bordeaux manager handled for the three-time African champions was the AFCON qualifying game against Lesotho in November. Two Victor Osimhen goals powered Nigeria to a 4-2 victory in that encounter at the Setsoto Stadium in Maseru.
The Super Eagles were scheduled to face Sierra Leone last month, but the doubleheader Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers were postponed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
The pandemic has since forced the suspension of major leagues across Europe, with players and coaches taking pay cuts or donating to charity.
Rohr concedes that he decided to give up part of his salary as he is aware that his employers, as with the football world, are facing severe financial challenges.
When asked, in a chat with RFI in quotes carried by the TellerReport, if he had parted with a slice of his salary amidst the current health crisis, the former Gabon manager responded:
“Yes, and it is normal. The football economy is at a standstill. The market is suffering.
“Revenue and sponsors are lacking, so it is normal that players and coaches also make efforts.”
Rohr has been in charge of the Nigerian national football team since August 2016, leading the 2013 African champions to a third-place finish at the 2019 African Cup of Nations in Egypt.