Story Courtesy of Goal. AFC Leopards coach Luc Eymael has threatened to quit if some members of
the Executive Committee (EC) will not stop ‘interfering with my work.’
In an exclusive interview with Goal, the tactician,
who leaves tonight for his native Belgium, has cited the on-going
transfer window as a big example where some members of the Executive
Committee are interfering with his selection.
"I don’t want to be manipulated by anybody (friends of Kenya or
members of EC) because if after the transfer window things don’t turn
around, it will be me who will be answerable.”
“I am very uncomfortable if I am not the one making decisions. I
signed a contract with the club and a section of it states very clearly
that I am the one solely mandated to transact transfer issues.”
Eymael says he has received several offers from other big team across
the continent and will not hesitate to jump ship if the situation does
not change.
“Since my arrival, I have received lots of offers from other big
teams in different countries but to be honest I have notified the EC
about them (offers) and vowed to continue serving AFC Leopards.”
“But now if the situation remains the same, then I have no option than consider offers on the table.”
He further said that his efforts to sign players from outside Kenya
had been frustrated by the same EC members, who have ‘restricted me to
acquire new players from only Kenya.”
“The transfer window is for me and for everybody who likes football, a
question of budget and quality players and not a question of
nationality.
“I don't understand why EC has restrictions on the countries where I
should sign players from. Some of them will even cost less money, than
local players and they are good and experienced. Some local players ask
for more money to sign a new contract.”
“I will not tell you the amount because it is private, but that is
the truth. Restrictions that I sign players from either Kenya or East
Africa does not augur well.
“What if I have spotted good players in countries such as – Ivory
Coast, Gabon, Burkina Faso, Niger and Guinea – does it mean that I don’t
sign them. For me, the most important thing is to improve the team by
buying quality players in the transfer window.
“I have Paul Lua from Equatorial Guinea and Damien Traore from
Burkina Faso both of whom are free agents. They will cost absolutely
nothing to have them in the team with the exception of air tickets and
salaries.
“I analyzed with my technical staff and requested for some players a
long time ago. I fail to understand why it is taking too long to sign
them, considering I had already initiated the contracts and
negotiations.
“I have done my bit. I am also aware that sponsors are already
discussing to release money to help us and I thank the sponsor for this.
The sooner this is done the better.”