The former Nigeria international played under several managers during his successful spell at Stamford Bridge
Former Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Ibrahim Saanie Daara has taken issue with former Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel for undermining the coaching abilities of ex-Black Stars coach Avram Grant, Soccernet.ng reports.
Grant steered Chelsea into the Champions League and League Cup finals and guided the club to contest the Premier League title to the last day.
Still, the Israeli's contract was terminated at the end of the season
In a recent podcast, Mikel Obi expressed doubts about Grant's coaching competence, stating,
“He wasn't a coach; he didn't even have any idea what he was doing. All he was doing was telling stories about Michael Jordan, but somehow things worked out for him and he got us to the Champs League final.”
This is former Nigeria midfielder John Mikel Obi berating his former Chelsea coach Avram Grant saying 'he is not a manager'. pic.twitter.com/tAWcU5M9bv
— Ibrahim Sannie Daara (@SannieDaara) November 27, 2023
Responding to these claims, Saanie Daara, now a senior CAF media officer, refuted Mikel Obi's assertions, emphasising Grant's coaching prowess.
Saara suggested that Mikel focus on finding employment after retirement rather than disrespecting accomplished individuals.
“Mikel should stop disrespecting worthy people and find a job to do. A man with a top UEFA license excelled in coaching—led Chelsea to the final of the Champs League, Ghana to the Afcon final, and revived Zambia—can't be operating just on luck. He must be doing something right,” Daara wrote on X.
John Obi-Mikel on Avram Grant:
— Ibrahim Sannie Daara (@SannieDaara) November 27, 2023
“He wasn't a coach, he didn't even have any idea what he was doing. All he was doing was telling stories about Michael Jordan, but somehow things worked out for him and he got us to the Champs Lge final."
My thoughts: Mikel should stop… pic.twitter.com/pUpRx6sGkt
Saanie Daara, who played a role in Grant's appointment as Black Stars coach in 2014, highlighted Grant's achievements, including leading Ghana to the final of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, where they lost to Ivory Coast on penalties.
Avram Grant currently serves as the head coach of former AFCON champions Zambia.
as a Zambian i completely agree with Daara…Avram Grant shud not b disrespected
Why condemning Mikel for his own view? That’s Africa mentality in display by Mr Sannie here. What is disrespectful by expressing one’s view? Mikel solely responsible for his statements and that was his own view.
Mikel’s IQ was too low to comprehend the inspiration Avram talk about Jordan gave the test of the team to help them keep winning. If you’re struggling to make meaning out of a lecture, doesn’t mean all your compatriots are in the same boat as you. He had a better coach with Nigeria I guess, where did he ever take the team?