Emmanuel Amunike has told TribalFootball.com that he still has a passion for coaching.
The Nigeria legend moved into coaching after a successful career with Zamalek, Sporting Lisbon and Barcelona.
Amunike started his managerial career with Nigeria side Julius Berger before achieving great success at international level.
After winning the 2015 U17 World Cup with Nigeria, Amunike led Tanzania to the 2019 African Cup of Nations, their first appearance at the tournament since 1980.
Amunike coaching at the U17 World Cup
The 50-year-old, who left Egyptian side Misr El-Makkasa in March 2020, has recently been linked with Nigerian side Kano Pillars, according to Brilla.net.
Asked if he was ready to return to coaching, Amunike told TribalFootball.com: “I have always been into coaching, not coaching for some years does not mean that I’m not interested in coaching anymore. I’m passionate about coaching.
“Coaching is what I love and I am ready anytime when I have the opportunity to coach again. I will definitely coach and I am preparing myself, but of course nothing is at stake now.
“I will also use the time to spend with my family,I have two boys with my wife, I need to spend my time with them and that is exactly what I’m doing. Am ready to coach once there is anything meaningful.”
Amunike made the switch from Africa to Europe when he swapped Zamalek for Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon.
A talented winger, Amunike won the Taca De Portugal with Sporting before earning a move to Barcelona in 1996.
Amunike playing for Nigeria
Despite having clout from a playing career in Europe, Amunike admits it is difficult for African coaches to get opportunities in the continent.
“Coaching in Europe is not the issue because I personally did my coaching course in Europe here with the Real Federation of Spanish Football. I have the highest coaching level to coach any category, but is there any opportunity for an African coach to coach in Europe? That is the question we should ask ourselves, whether there is opportunity or no opportunity.
“And if there is an opportunity to coach in Europe, that is exactly what we are asking for. Where we can have a common ground, where we can have the same opportunity to prove ourselves that we are good, but if opportunity does not come from Europe, we also have to look for where the opportunity is and continue to do what we love.”
Amunike won 27 caps for Nigeria during his career, scoring nine goals in that time.
Asked if he ever thought about coaching the Super Eagles, Amunike said: “Only God knows and of course it is our country and I will love to coach the Super Eagles one day, but for the moment they have a coach and we wish him all the best.
“We hope he is able to achieve a lot of success and put smiles in the faces of our people. We just have to wait and if the Lord says that we are going to coach and if Nigeria says that they want us to coach them, of course, we will be in the position to coach them and we will contribute to our part.”
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