Joseph Yobo has revealed that he had no desire to get into the coaching gig until he got attracted to it after excelling in his role as a football TV pundit.
After waving goodbye in 2014 to a successful playing career that saw him win titles for club and country, Yobo took up interests in other fields.
The former Fenerbahce defender invested his time and resources in business, charity works, and TV punditry.
However, the 39-year-old was surprisingly appointed as the assistant to Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr in February, despite reports that he has no coaching certificates.
But Yobo has warmed up to the role, building a cordial relationship with his German boss and working hard to make a success of his new endeavour.
“My desire to get into coaching was based on the accolade I got as a football pundit in the Champions League games on television,” said Yobo in quotes carried by the Guardian.
The last match the former international was involved in with the Super Eagles was a 2014 Round of 16 World Cup defeat to France.
But Nigeria’s joint most capped player foresees no problem obtaining the cooperation of present stars in which two are his former teammates.
“Now, I don’t think I will have any issue with the present Eagles team even though the only player in that team I played with for a long time is Ahmed Musa, while I spent a short time with Kenneth Omeruo,” the 2013 AFCON winner added.
“I only watch the Eagles from far like every other Nigerian, but when I get working with the players closely, I will know how to relate with them to bring more unity to the side.”