It’s all over! - Berti Vogts resigns - It’s face-saving - NFA

20.02.2008

BYE BYE... Berti Vogts turns his back
on Nigeria.

SUPER Eagles Coach, Berti Vogts on Wednesday resigned his appointment with immediate effect as Nigeria coach, less than three weeks after the team crashed out in the quarter-finals of the just concluded African Nations Cup in Ghana.

A statement issued by his lawyers said that the German coach took the action because “the measures and the behaviour of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) during and after the Nations Cup has led to loss of confidence concerning further cooperation.

Nigeria played a mediocre tournament with just one win in four matches of Ghana 2008.
Speculation about Vogts’ future arouse immediately after the 1-2 loss to the host, Ghana on February 3.

However, there were reports that he was sacked while Vogts said initially that he would stay on.
Vogts insisted in Wednesday’s statement that “he enjoyed the work with the players and the team a lot.”

Vogts, 61, has been in charge of the Super Eagles since January 2007 on a deal valid until the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

He has also coached Germany, Kuwait and Scotland in the past, winning the Euro ‘96 title with Germany.

The BBC reported that Vogts is demanding payment of his contract - which was due to run until the 2010 World Cup.

The NFA has not commented officially on Vogts’ departure, but a senior Nigerian sports administrator, who did not want to be named, told the BBC the NFA was disappointed that the German had broken confidentiality by speaking to the media.

The source told the BBC that a letter had been sent to Vogts on Monday detailing the NFA’s disappointment with his performance both during and after the recent Nations Cup.

However the source denied that the letter amounted to the termination of Vogts’ contract, saying there was a 30 day notice period in any case.

Reacting to the development, the Chief Media Officer of the Nigeria Fotball Association, Mr Demola Olajire told the Tribunesports in Lagos on Wednesday that the association was aware of the story as carried by some websites but noted that, they were yet to receive Berti Vogts resignation letter adding that until they receive it, "the whole thing is still a rumour."

He said further that Vogts did the right thing by resigning adding that it boils down to face-saving.

Vogts’ technical assistant, Emeka Ezeala also confirmed the development to Tribunesports. Speaking from his base in Germany, Nigerian-born Ezeala said in a telephone chat that Vogts' resignation was based on the memo sent to him (Vogts) by the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), after the team’s ouster at the Nations Cup in Ghana.

He said that both parties would have to honour the contract signed last year in London adding that a letter would be sent to the NFA in due course.