Former Super Eagles star, Emmanuel Amuneke has set his sights on a coaching job in Europe despite being rejected by Spanish teams in the past.
Amuneke guided Tanzania to their first ever Nations Cup in 2019 before he was sacked after a poor outing in the competition.
The 1994 African Player of the year award winner was in the books of Barcelona from 1996 to 2000 making 19 appearances and scoring one goal.
The 40-year-old said he won’t give up on securing a coaching job in Europe.
“It’s frustrating and disappointing that despite playing here and undergoing your coaching training in Spain, Africans are never considered for a job in the country,” Amuneke told BBC Sport Africa.
“I returned to Spain after winning the Under-17 World Cup and applied for jobs in the Spanish Leagues, but I was overlooked and not even shortlisted for interviews.”A second division side in Spain showed strong interest through an agent, but despite my experience of playing in Spain, undertaking my coaching training here and winning the World Cup, it was not enough for them to put their trust in me.
“I’m not discouraged about this situation. I will continue to make myself available for any opportunities that may come or any vacant jobs that are open because Spain is where my family lives.”
“You can only keep knocking on different doors politely with a positive mindset that one day they will open it for you,” he continued.”No one should feel entitled to any job or seek a tokenism role, but instead, continue to seek an equal opportunity like other managers.”You never know, the next job might be in the Spanish league or elsewhere. I am happy with what I have achieved and what I am doing.”I can only continue to stay optimistic and hope the objective [to manage in Spain] will be achieved.”
Amuneke led the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria to the 2015 FIFA Under-17 FIFA World Cup glory in Chile.
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