• About Us
  • Privacy Policy
Saturday, February 4, 2023
Citi Sports Online
  • Home
  • News
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Local Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • World Cup
  • AFCON
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Local Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • World Cup
  • AFCON
No Result
View All Result
Citi Sports Online
No Result
View All Result

I would like to coach in Europe – Samuel Eto’o

Bernard Osei by Bernard Osei
October 30, 2019
Reading Time: 3 mins read
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Whatsapp

Samuel Eto’o is convinced that he is the best African footballer of all time and is now targeting more success as a coach, the Cameroon great told AFP in an exclusive interview.

The 38-year-old is pondering his next step after hanging up his boots in early September, bringing the curtain down on his playing days with a brief spell turning out for Qatar Sports Club.

“There comes a point where you have to look for other challenges. That is what I have chosen to do. I have had a wonderful career,” Eto’o told AFP during a visit to Paris.

His career spanned more than 20 years in which he won 18 major trophies, including two Champions Leagues with Barcelona and another with Inter Milan.

He also won the Africa Cup of Nations twice with Cameroon as well as Olympic gold in 2000.

One prize that did get away from him, however, was the Ballon d’Or.

Liberia’s George Weah, in 1995, remains the only African to have claimed that award, but that does not change Eto’o’s belief that he is the best player to have come out of the continent.

“I don’t need to lay claim to anything, it’s just a fact. Whether you accept it or not, it’s a fact,” he said, as frank and outspoken as ever.

“Everyone is entitled to their opinion. You know, as an African, you are always being judged. What is unacceptable is that the first people to do it are always Africans. They can’t take anything away from me because I am proud to be African.

“When I look at where I came from and how far I got, I tell myself that I am entitled to be proud. That doesn’t mean I am big-headed, far from it. It is just that, in this world, people like puppets and I don’t accept being one.”

Could have won World Cup

Eto’o also turned out for the likes of Real Madrid and Chelsea, but for all he won in the game, it is his first major title with his country that sticks out when asked for his fondest memory.

“I would say my first Africa Cup of Nations (in 2000), because it was my first AFCON, an unforgettable moment, and I had come away from the 1998 World Cup in France with the hope of making history,” he said.

“I wasn’t a starter in that magnificent team but in the end I worked my way into the side and contributed. It is a beautiful memory.”

Eto’o also went to four World Cups but never got beyond the group stage with the Indomitable Lions.

“I told myself that, eventually, with all the magnificent players I played alongside for Cameroon, we could have won the World Cup,” he said.

“It wasn’t to be. That is the only trophy I didn’t manage to win but I had some unforgettable moments with that team.”

Part of a golden generation that featured Rigobert Song, the late Marc-Vivien Foe and Geremi, Eto’o believes he has left a legacy by helping bring through the next generation.

Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana is one player to have emerged from the Eto’o Foundation.

He has also been asked to do work for the Confederation of African Football, but he says it is only a matter of time before he returns to football in a more hands-on role.

On coaching in Europe

“I know my next challenge will be to win at least as much as a coach as I did as a player,” he said.

“I would like to coach in Europe, and then one day return to Africa and win there. I don’t know how to lose.

“I am lucky to have made history at different clubs. I have a lot more doors open to me than others, but you need to be prepared.

“I want to learn, have all the qualifications, understand how things work either in my own businesses or in my future career, in order to come back in 12 or 24 months and start a new career, which I hope will be just as beautiful.”

But having won the Champions League playing for both Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, whose style is he more likely to be replicated?

“I am a fan of Guardiola. I love football and I think it’s important to win in style.

“Football is like going to the theatre: it is great to go to the stadium and see a spectacle. When you watch Guardiola’s teams play, you never get bored.”

Source: AFP
Share40TweetSend
Previous Post

AFCON 2021 Qualifiers: Shafiu Mumuni blown away by Black Stars selection

Next Post

Asamoah Gyan jams to Kinaata’s ‘Things Fall Apart’ despite exclusion from Black Stars squad [VIDEO]

Related Posts

MASON GREENWOOD
Football

Rape and assault charges against Man United’s Mason Greenwood dropped

February 2, 2023
News

American Football: Tom Brady retires ‘for good’ after 23 seasons in NFL

February 1, 2023
Black Stars

#Donkomi:Kamaldeen Sulemana completes transfer to Premier League side Southampton

February 1, 2023
Donkomi

Chelsea agree PL record £105m deal for Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez

January 31, 2023
Donkomi

Nathan Opoku completes move to Leicester City from Syracuse University

January 31, 2023
News

Andre Ayew and Al-Sadd agree to contract termination

January 30, 2023
News

Kudus Mohammed named Sports Personality of the Year at 47th SWAG Awards

January 29, 2023
News

Female Footballer of the Year winner to receive 10,000 Cedis at SWAG Awards

January 27, 2023
Load More
Next Post
Asamoah Gyan

Asamoah Gyan jams to Kinaata's 'Things Fall Apart' despite exclusion from Black Stars squad [VIDEO]

Top Stories

GFA’s Director of Competitions passes on

Ex-GFA Chairman, Alhaji Jawula passes on at age 74

Imoro Ibrahim: A victim of CHAN’s problematic eligibility criteria

Benjamin Mendy found not guilty of seven of nine charges

RSS Citi Podcasts

  • Citi Business Edition, Friday 3rd February, 2023 February 3, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Citi Breakfast Show, Friday, 3rd February, 2023 February 3, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Auto Show, Thursday, 2nd February, 2023 February 2, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Sister Sister, Thursday 2nd February, 2023 February 2, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Eyewitness News, Thursday, 2nd February, 2023 February 2, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Citi Breakfast Show, Thursday, 2nd February, 2023 February 2, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Eyewitness News, Wednesday, 1st February, 2023 February 1, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Citi Breakfast Show, Wednesday, 1st February, 2023 February 1, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Transfer Deadline Day Donkomi, Tuesday, 31st January, 2023 February 1, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Citi Trends, Tuesday, 31st January, 2023 January 31, 2023 Citi97.3
Citi Sports Online

© 2019 Citi Sports Online

  • Home
  • News
  • Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • World Cup
  • AFCON

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Local Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • World Cup
  • AFCON

© 2019 Citi Sports Online

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Citi Sports Cookie Policy
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT