Former Nigeria international Emmanuel Amuneke has shed light on the reason he took a six-month deal to coach struggling Egyptian Premier League side, Misr Lel Makkasa.
After a protracted contract discussion, both parties struck a deal Saturday night as Amuneke was formally announced as the replacement for Egyptian international Ahmed Mido who was sacked penultimate Wednesday.
“The duration of my contract with El Makkasa is not an issue I want to worry myself about rather the most important thing for me is that I have a job to do and I want to do it well,” the former Barcelona winger said in an exclusive interview with NationSport.
“The Egyptian league is already half season gone and the remaining period is an opportunity for me to show what I can do and I don’t have any problem with that because the contract is flexible with an option for renewal at the end of the season.”
Amuneke further said he was optimistic that the fortune of El Makkasa can be turned around despite the fact that the Faiyum- based side has struggled through the season with two wins in 15 previous matches and are currently in 15th position on the table, adding the management of the club has implicit confidence in his ability.
“I could have signed a 10-year long contract and still get fired after two matches if the results are not okay but the good thing is that I’m on the same page with management of the club and it has our resolve to work hard to move the club away from the relegation zone,” explained the former Zamalek forward.
“Of course, El Makkasa is not Zamalek or Al Ahly but this is a well-managed club with forward-looking management led by Mohammed Soliman Abdel Salam who is currently the President of African Stock Market and I’m so impressed with the way we’ve started the relationship.”
After Saturday’s contract signing, Amuneke was presented to the players and he enthused about the spirit of the players.
“I’m not a magician and that much I have told the players but I can see that that they were excited to see me as their new coach and together, we shall make El Makkasa fans smiling again.
“The club is one of the most stable clubs in Egypt because they have a well-organised structure and I have no doubt in my mind that I have taken the best decision by coming over here.
“El Makkasa has given me another opportunity to work on my coaching philosophy and I leave the future in the hands of God,” added the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup winning coach with Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets.
