Former Super Eagles captain and head coach Sunday Oliseh is definitely loving life in the Netherlands after starting off well with second ...
Former Super Eagles captain and head coach Sunday Oliseh is definitely loving life in the Netherlands after starting off well with second tier side Fortuna Sittard.
The 42 year old manager has seen his side just lose one game in nine games taking the club away from the relegation zone. Speaking to BBC, the former Ajax player said it has been a good challenge for him working with players who were short on confidence and are relatively unknown.
"Here, it's like I had to start from zero. We practically started everything again. How we defend, how we ball-position, how we counter-transition, how we attack. All this I had to do it from zero. And the weather didn't help me. We didn't have the facilities, like sometimes we had snow. But when I see the commitment the players have put into it, it's good."
Oliseh also used the opportunity to encourage young Nigerian players to seek moves to the Dutch league and it presented a perfect place to develop.
"I think it's a league that suits us because Nigerian players are more technical and explosive. And this is a league where a lot of expression is allowed. There's room to play, there's room to attack. And a lot is done here based on tactics."
Fortuna Sittard are currently 15th in the league on 31 points.
The 42 year old manager has seen his side just lose one game in nine games taking the club away from the relegation zone. Speaking to BBC, the former Ajax player said it has been a good challenge for him working with players who were short on confidence and are relatively unknown.
"That is great for us. And the boys keep improving. We're picking up points home and away. So I'm very pleased with the results" .
"It was the psychological aspect. Trying to get the players to get a winning mentality. Trying to change the psychology and make them believe in their qualities and try to get the best out of them. That was the most difficult challenge" said Oliseh.The former Dortmund midfielder also spoke about the challenges he has had to face in turning the club around
"Here, it's like I had to start from zero. We practically started everything again. How we defend, how we ball-position, how we counter-transition, how we attack. All this I had to do it from zero. And the weather didn't help me. We didn't have the facilities, like sometimes we had snow. But when I see the commitment the players have put into it, it's good."
Oliseh also used the opportunity to encourage young Nigerian players to seek moves to the Dutch league and it presented a perfect place to develop.
"I think it's a league that suits us because Nigerian players are more technical and explosive. And this is a league where a lot of expression is allowed. There's room to play, there's room to attack. And a lot is done here based on tactics."
Fortuna Sittard are currently 15th in the league on 31 points.