Meet Nigerian Coach who is making waves in Dubai he spoke to our Sports reporter Esther Egbe of New National Star Newspaper recently he talks about his career and more.
Can we meet you Sir?
My name is Anyanwu Marcello .I am a Resident of UAE,since 2013. I am from Ikeduru LGA in Imo State.I was the Former Assistant coach defunct NPFL club side MFM Lagos, Former Arsenal soccer school coach Dubai,Former Coach of Al Itifaq Fc of United Arab Emirates and currently the Coach of Gulf United Football Club Dubai, UAE .
I studied Botany University of Uyo (Bsc holder ) I also had a Diploma in Coaching and Training National Institute for Sports Lagos. I am a board member of Nigeria Grassroot football foundation ,UEFA level 1 and also European Sports Education level 1 Norwaygian FA, International coaching certificate English FA,Soccer Italian style Seria A certificate level 1, Children safeguarding certificate course. I am married with three kids.
I am a Brand Ambassador Nigeria national league , Youth sports federation of Nigeria Ambassador (YSFON).
Nigeria Football Supporter’s Club Ambassador (NFSC) African football for All Ambassador.
How did you get into football ?
I grew up in a Football loving family, my late father was a great fan Spartans Fc of Owerri which later become Iwuanyanwu Nationale of Owerri and now Heartland FC of Owerri, he was also school teacher/game master and community football referee . Then I do follow him to officiate community matches, that’s how I became a football lover and develop interest in the round leather game
Can you please tell us something more about your coaching experience ?
My coaching is gift, I never played in any league be ,it Amateur or professional, the last time I played competitive football was during my primary school, I developed interest in coaching when I was in secondary school , Emmanuel college Owerri, I do sneak out from school occasionally between 8am -10.00am to watch Former Iwuanyanwu Nationale coach Ufere nwanko train the players.
I admired the way he controls the training and player’s, progression of his training sessions and getting results, I said to my self I want to be like this Man, watched him morning training at times but never missed his evening training, I have my jotter I use to jot and draw some of his programs, I have a lot of experience in coaching because I started coaching on time, I have understudied many coaches in Nigeria ( Ufere Nwanko ,John Obuh, Nduka Ugbade, David Adiele etc and foreign coaches ,I have worked under English, Italian and Spanish Coaches.
I am a certified football coach with sound educational background.
2013 won interchurch championship cup in UAE (Head coach)
2017 I won friendship cup for schools in Dubai (Head coach)
2022 won UAE Division 3 league (Assistant coach)
2023 won UAE league division 2 (Assistant coach)
What do you want to accomplish with your team ?
I want to win more Laurels as an International Coach .
Why do you want to coach our team in particular ?
I have alot to offer to Nigeria professional football league, Nigeria National league and National team, I have alot of experience, I have done a lot of research on modern Football Coaching, Football philosophy Education and using information to play formation. Though I prefer to be a consultant Nigeria National Team.
You will face a lot of expectations as a football coach–from the players, spectators, parents (if coaching children), and other stakeholders.
How do you want to handle the pressure?
As a trained Coach, you must know that you’re a role model, you must have anatomy of how to react to somethings, how to communicate and how to handle pressure, be mindful of the words you use, don’t say something that will hurt people and you can’t take it back again. Avoid favoritism in selection, respect the parents and fans.
Describe a conflict you had with one of the players you coached ?
I have not really had any conflict with any player, even though some players has deviant behavior, I tried as much as I can to allow them express their feelings always. I am a coach that wants to win, I always instill winning mentality on the players , we always win together and lose together.
When did you decide to go for the position of NFF President ?
It has been my dream to be the NFF Boss , I gave it a trial in 2022 unfortunately it didn’t end the way I want it .
How was the outcome of the election ? Were you satisfied or discouraged ?
I was not cleared to contest, the electoral process was faulty, I got to hear about my disqualification on radio, I was not satisfied with the attitude of the electoral body. The umpires of the election didn’t notify me officially why I was disqualified, they didn’t respect me as a human being, they should have sent me mail, or sms or even call me to brief me, rather they went to the press and say it was invalid nomination ,Its just a technical term to get me out of the way.
I don’t want to appeal against that, I know it will be exercise in futility ,I have move on.
My disqualification has nothing to do with my capacity to breathe a fresh air into Nigeria football.
I Ran A Good Race.
-Marcello Anyanwu
After the review of all situation regarding my Elections i have decided to leave everything for God.
I have made a mark by obtaining the nomination form and am proud of myself especially that I was not screened out because of personal issues bordering on my eligibility to run but for nomination issue. I want to congratulate my self and appreciate my family members and friends that supported me morally and financially .I will continue to contribute my own quota to football development in Nigeria especially in the area of grassroot.
If you had become the NFF president what will you do differently from what is happening now at the glasshouse ?
Develop and adopt a workable road map that will center on improving our grassroot football both male and female .
The Two major problem in Nigeria are coaching and infrastructure,90% of the coaches are not educated, they don’t have the knowledge of the game,coaching education is very important,
Would have engaged investors to invest in infrastructures and liaze with government to grant tax waiver to anyone that build stadium in Nigeria .
How grounded are you with the NPFL ?
Remember I started coaching Nigeria League , I know the terrain of the League, I also follow up from here, I have alot of my friends that are Coaching in Nigeria League, we share ideas always, I follow the League from here.
What’s your favorite NPFL club ?
My best club in the Nigeria Premier League is my State team ‘Heartland FC of Owerri.’
If you are called to head one of the National teams will you like to take the offer?
I said earlier I will prefer the position of a Consultant of the National Team.
Anyway I wouldn’t mind to serve as a national team coach.
