Gernot Rohr: "Many people miss football"

Text by: Hugo Moissonnier

As a family in his French residence, Gernot Rohr, the coach of Nigeria, always watches over the nest of the Super Eagles. If football remains his great passion, the Franco-German technician keeps an open mind. The one who also passed through Gabon, Niger and Burkina Faso is very attentive to the world situation.

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RFI: How do you live this very special period?

Gernot Rohr : I am with my family on the Arcachon basin. With Nigeria, our matches in March (CAN 2021 qualifiers) were canceled and I was able to return to France, at Lège Cap-Ferret, where I also have a hotel which is currently closed. It's going pretty well. It is a rather quiet corner during the winter, even if some Parisians came down to confine themselves. I am fortunate to have a small garden to play with children, it is also necessary to ensure the school at home in the morning. This is going well, you have to be positive in such a situation. We also get news from Nigeria. Currently, I am studying a proposal to extend the contract so my days are quite full.

How to work in full confinement when you are a breeder? Can you keep in touch with your staff and your players?

We manage to communicate quite well. Telephone, emails, video conferences. Modern technology allows me to speak with my assistants. One is in France, the other in England and the third lives in Germany. But we are already used to working remotely. We stay in touch with the players as well. There are those who have resumed training as in Germany while in England or France everything is stopped. Some were already in Nigeria, others joined their families in London. In Germany, one of our guys was quarantined for fifteen days because one of his teammates in the club had been infected. We also had to deal with particularly difficult cases: two blocked players, one in Turkey and another in Saudi Arabia. They were finally able to find Nigeria while they were going around in circles, alone at home for several weeks. Everyone had their worries, but today almost everyone is in family.

How has your role evolved with this health crisis? Are you trying to protect your players even more?

In Nigeria, we function like a family! We call, we talk, we get news. Some boys have still not found their loved ones and it is difficult for them. Whether in France , Belgium, Turkey or Russia, some of our players may be affected by the situation and may need regular contact. They also benefit from a program to follow to train at home. Everything is relatively well in place for them to keep their spirits and keep their physical condition.

What is the place of football in this crisis?

The ball is always at the center of our lives: we play with the children, we watch CAN games that appear on television, we study the profile of players who could join the Super Eagles. It's still there, but we put it into perspective. It is not the most important thing in life. But football is missed by a lot of people, we find out by talking to supporters or friends. It is a social phenomenon. The resumption of matches can accompany the return to a normal life, it will allow some people to forget their worries.

John Obi Mikel, the iconic former Super Eagles captain, refused to play and broke up with his club, Trabzonspor. He protested against the continuation of the Turkish championship. What did you think of his gesture?

It is a noble gesture, he was right to do it even if he finds himself without a club today. You can't threaten the health of the players. Many people have supported Obi Mikel, not just in Africa. He could count on the solidarity of the football family, it is very important.

And for your part, you have decided to give up part of your salary.

Yes and it is normal. The football economy is at a standstill, the market is suffering. Revenue and sponsors are lacking so it is normal that players and coaches also make efforts.

You were born in Germany, you live in France, your wife is Malagasy and you train in Nigeria after having worked in other African countries. With such a life course, how do you view this global crisis?

Information comes from everywhere. Thanks to the players, who play in different countries and on different continents, but also thanks to the family. We have news from Madagascar, Reunion, Germany. We are trying to have a global perception. Football is not everything, there are more important things like family, health, happiness. But the ball has a big role to play. In my life, in that of my players who have made their passion a profession, and in that of many people. Football will come back, little by little. Everyone will have to be protected. It is the number one sport. It allows some to let off steam at the stadium rather than be silly. I hope it will resume soon. 

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