Lagerback wants to work with 'legend' Kanu

Posted: 2010-04-07 13:52

Lars Lagerback believes that Nigeria captain Nwankwo Kanu is a legend and has a good chance of leading the Super Eagles to the World Cup.

Opinion in Nigeria is divided as to whether the 33 year old Portsmouth striker should be in the squad to the World Cup, especially as he only managed one game during the African Nations Cup in Angola.

But Lagerback says he would like to work with the former Iwuanyanwu Nationale forward.

"I would like to work with Kanu because for me he is a kind of a legend. I can remember when I led Sweden to play against Nigeria at the 2002 World Cup, he was a fantastic player," Lagerback said in an interview with FIFA, com.

"But everybody is getting older by the day so sometimes you do not qualify any more. But before answering your question on whether Kanu will be in my World Cup squad like any other player who wishes to be part of the squad, I need to see Kanu and other players to decide.

"I would like to see them, meet them and also talk to them.

"When I have seen them, I can now answer your question on Kanu. But for me he has been a fantastic footballer, maybe one of the best in Nigerian history."

Lagerback also spoke about his motivation, preferred formation and player committment to the national cause.

FIFA.com: Congratulations on your appointment as coach of Nigeria. How has it been so far working with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)?

Lars Lagerback: Thank you. I have really been impressed with the hospitality I have received here. I have also met many very positive people. It has been a fantastic time with some kind words for me and also some tough words. The Nigeria Football Federation has really done a good job by planning for friendly matches and ensuring that the team is busy which will help me also make quick assessment of the players. I think we can do something, but of course I wish we had more time for preparations.

Nigerian football is going through some trying times. Could you say this is a difficult position to take over right now?
No team could be said not to have problems. The basic thing for a team is to have good individual skills, and I can tell you sincerely that from the number of matches of the Super Eagles that I have watched, it is evidently clear that Nigerian players have the basic ingredients required in football.

So, the next thing to consider is the attitude of the players themselves. That is - are they ready to work 100 per cent for the team? Are they ready to work from their hearts? What does it mean for them to play in the national team of their country? And also would they play the way everybody expects and also do their best to lift the team all the time? If they can do that as well as have the required individual skills, such players will always have the chance to play many matches for the Super Eagles under me.


Both the public and the press have accused Nigerian players of not being committed to the national team. How do you plan to motivate these same players for the big task ahead?
It is important for a player to be proud of wearing his country’s shirt at the World Cup or any other competitions. What I will like to do now is to speak with many of the players and try to explain to them the joy and importance of playing for the team in the first place. I need to tell them that even if they make so much money in football playing for clubs in Europe, when it comes to the national team you must be proud of playing for your country. So I will try to motivate them and explain that to them as best as I can. But if I find out that a player doesn’t want to do his best for the team, he shouldn't be in my squad.

Do you already have an idea who some of players are you will pick for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa?
I watched some of the games Nigeria played in Angola during the African Nations Cup, and I also watched some other video tapes involving the team. So I believe I know much about the team already. Although it is early to say who and who among the players I would like to work with, but I think the factors I would consider in picking my players are who among them are most skilful and the best players of the lot. I will also beam my searchlight on the local league in Nigeria and the rest of the world to also get the best players for the World Cup. I will then draw a shortlist and from this I will try to pick the best possible squad for the World Cup.

As a coach you can’t promise any player that he will play in the World Cup. Some players may even not play a minute in the World Cup. So you can imagine going for pre-camp in three to four weeks, hopefully four weeks right up to the finals, and you don’t have one minute playing time - either you were finally dropped or the other players are doing well and you don’t want to change a winning team during the competition. That could be really tough. So, this is one of the situations in football and players have to prepare for that.

I can make an appreciable impact with the Super Eagles despite the short time between when I took up this job and the World Cup. It is true that the time before the World Cup is short, but you have to find a way out.

It is important for me that a player understands the basic needs or facts in football and what is the most important thing is what they have to do both on and off the pitch. You can use some statistics to show them that. For instance, if you are a winger and you have 50 crosses in a match and only one is good, then there is a problem. So if you want to play for me as a winger in the Super Eagles and only one of the 50 crosses you played is good, that means you are not good enough to play for me. That means you have to focus and practice more before you can have a chance in my team.

Would skipper Nwankwo Kanu have a role to play in your team?
I would like to work with Kanu because for me he is a kind of a legend. I can remember when I led Sweden to play against Nigeria at the 2002 World Cup, he was a fantastic player. But everybody is getting older by the day so sometimes you do not qualify any more. But before answering your question on whether Kanu will be in my World Cup squad like any other player who wishes to be part of the squad, I need to see Kanu and other players to decide. I would like to see them, meet them and also talk to them. When I have seen them, I can now answer your question on Kanu. But for me he has been a fantastic footballer, maybe one of the best in Nigerian history.

What formation do you plan for Nigeria to play?
As a coach I have my own philosophy, but mainly for me is to combine the individual skills we have in the squad. First, you have to know the players you will pick for the tournament before you determine the formation to adopt. We have played 4-5-1, 4-4-2 because in my opinion when you meet very good teams, and Sweden is also one of the best teams in my opinion, you have to be realistic in choosing the systems that will give you the best chance of winning. That is my aim with the Super Eagles. I have to wait and study the team first before knowing what pattern or system would be the best.

Will Nigeria have a successful FIFA World Cup?
If I did not think so, I wouldn’t have taken the job in the first place. I can make an appreciable impact with the Super Eagles despite the short time between when I took up this job and the World Cup. It is true that the time before the World Cup is short, but you have to find a way out, pick your squad and when it comes to the training camp exercise, I hope I will have at least three weeks to work with the players. In three weeks, you can do a lot. I am very hopeful.

The NFF have set a semi-final target for you at the FIFA World Cup. Is this a realistic target?
Nigeria have a great chance to do well in the World Cup. Even the time I coached a small country like Sweden, I have always had the ambition and the belief that we can win matches and do well. If you don't believe that you can win matches in a tournament as a team and as a coach, then you don't deserve to be at the competition. Playing football at this level is all about winning. I think there is a realistic chance for Nigeria to go a long way in the World Cup in South Africa.


kickoff.

I am waiting to see the role Kanu's going to play in Largerbeer's squad.

[quote ]

Opinion in Nigeria is divided as to whether the 33 year old Portsmouth striker should be in the squad to the World Cup, especially as he only managed one game during the African Nations Cup in Angola.
[quote][/quote]

Really, kanu is a legend, he is the most decorated nigerian player in world football. He is getting old but will still be part of the team to south africa 2010 world cup. JJ okocha is a talented and brilliant footballer but never won caf african footballer of the year award. Both kanu and jj will be remembered for their contributions in footballworld in general,

Ithink Lagger Beer is right. Kanu is a legend that must be at the World Cup. We have not had any player of his calibre. His experience counts a lot.

it is well

Poor man, he should just sit to home, watch from the TV set.

kanu, legendary super sub. for now no one in nigeria can play his role better. that is, a playmaker.

Kanu has done alot in Nigeria football, but age is really telling on him. If he iz to be in s/africa is it just honouring him at our expense.

Kanu has done alot in Nigeria football, but age is really telling on him. If he iz to be in s/africa is it just honouring him at our expense.

his presence alone is a boost for other players

what kind of rubbish is this, this lageridiot guy is annoying me now. what will a old 49 year old man like kanu do in world cup, that guy is tremendously slow and lazy he should just retire. i don't know why nigeria players never respect their self and retire instead they wait for heirself to be insulted. for me kanu is definetly overrated and he is not a nigeria senior team legend. kanu won a u-17 tornament and olympics but as a striker you get judged by the goals you score and since 1994 to 2010 kanu nwankwo have scored only 13 goals thats just poor. nigerians like making theirself feel better thats why they call him the most decorated well the most decorated is etoo. how can kanu play 6 nations cup and cannot score even 1 goal the guy is overaated like hell he is definetly not a nigeria senior team legend.

Why do we like deceiving ourselves? There is no hope for a sinner in Hell.

, I would rather have someone who plays regular football in division 2 teams in europe or the Nigeria Premier league than have someone who plays for 10 minutes in 5 games in a season

Kanu, to rise from the ashes of history, once again

He is a very DATAMIN fellow

look it is good if he make the team. but if not let us go without him.

lagerwhenindoubt:

Kanu, to rise from the ashes of history, once again

He is a very DATAMIN fellow

all you have to do is to beleief in yaself.

now papilo will be thinking he can nefa play football har-gain

Kanu should have a role in the "technical" bench not the playing one.

I belive Redknapp knows Kanu more than a whole lot of us,
"
‘Every Sunday. But on the pitch , first game, I stuck him on for the second half against Blackburn, he got two great goals and missed a penalty for the hat-trick. Monday we went to Middlesbrough, won 4-0 and Kanu got two more goals. He ran from the halfway line for the second. What a goal!
Harry Redknapp

Fan of Kanu: Harry Redknapp

‘We got back home to the airport and we were sitting while waiting for the baggage to come. Suddenly he could not get up. His body had given up. We had to lift him into one of those wheelchairs.

‘No matter how the physios tried, his body would not straighten up. They lifted him up into the chair and wheeled him out the airport! He had to leave his car there and he could not drive. The physio had to drive him back. His body had gone.

‘How old is he? 49? I don’t know (officially, he’s 33). But when you think he played at Inter Milan, won the Champions League with Ajax and he’d had a heart problem. In training you’d pay to watch him some days. He could do things you’d never seen. What a lovely guy as well.

‘Yet when I took him, people at the club who worked with me went, “He’s finished, Harry”. ‘I said, “No”. I took him and he did fantastic for me and he’s still there now. King Kanu. He’s an amazing talent. Still.’

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1261087/Spurs-manager-Harry-Redknapp-claims-Portsmouth-star-Kanu-49-King.html#ixzz0kWCm3E0P

"

Kanu is great any time, any where. Even if he couldn't score on his, he' made beutiful assists.

Men! you just can hold Kanu when his with the Ball.

This Lagerback seems to be high on Lager Beer,

Kanu is a dead and rotten log of wood. . .EOD!

Lagerback, I have never heard of that Club before but anyway, whatever floats his boat.

^^lagerback is not a club but d current nigerian coach

33 year old Portsmouth striker

are u having a laugh?

Well, I think Kanu needs to be at this World Cup. It should also be his last World Cup and tournament for Nigeria. After the World Cup has ended [ Irrespective of our performance in South Africa ], he should be publicly honoured by the Nigerian Government [ A stadium could be named after him or his statue could be erected on the grounds of the National Stadium at Abuja ] and made to retire. Who knows, Kanu Nwankwo could become another Roger Milla when the World Cup kicks off So let us give him this last chance before he is consigned into Nigeria's book of football history. I don't think he should captain the Super Eagles in South Africa. Osaze Odemwingie should wear the captain's band. Osaze is a very dedicated player and can galvanize the team to a good outing in Mandela's country. Cheers.


www.vibes-extra..com

semid4lyfe:

Kanu is a dead and rotten log of wood. . .EOD!

Don't you think those words are too harsh especially when talking about a fellow human being?

mama-gee:

Don't you think those words are too harsh especially when talking about a fellow human being?

We know you're Kanu's biggest lover.

mama-gee:

^^It's not about Loving Kanu or being his number 1 fan.

It's just about speaking the truth, One shouldn't belittle a fellow human being in that manner and tone.

How would you feel if someone actually says, "Debosky is a dead log of wood, End of discussion".

It's wrong on every level, possible.

People have said worse and will say worse - life goes on.

Footballistically, Kanu may well be a dead log of wood, so it might not even be an insult.

debosky:

People have said worse and will say worse - life goes on.

Footballistically, Kanu may well be a dead log of wood, so it might not even be an insult. 

I mean you could say dead and it wouldn't mean a damn thing afterall Kanu isn't a Nairalander and

we don't know him personally but to go as far as calling him "Dead and rotten log of wood", that's too harsh and almost beyond humane treatment.

Anyway, I like that word "Footballistically".