A former central defender with Sharks FC of Port Harcourt and Udoji United of Onitsha, Joe Agwu has blown the lid off factors that motivated his decision to quit coaching and become the sporting director at ECAS FC of Lagos.
Agwu, who also previously played for the Lagos-based duo of National Maritime FC and Amichi Arch Rangers as well as for a couple of teams in Egypt and Cote d’Ivoire, told Sports247 that he just wanted to try something different in football management.
The former reliable centre back added that, after a knee injury stopped him from continuing his lofty exploits in active football, he ventured into coaching, but soon realised that he did not have a passion for it.
Agwu added in the exclusive chat with Sports247 that he further reckoned he would be able to create a better positive impact on young players if he ventured into sports management and began to operate from an office, instead of working as a coach.
“I just woke up one day and told myself that I’m not meant to be sweating so much on the pitch as a coach, when I could be doing better in motivating young players as an administrator.
“That’s how I became the sporting director of ECAS FC. We play in the Lagos State League and youth football competitions around us. We finished first in the state league, and we are now thinking of playing in the Nationwide League One.
“We are also currently playing in the 1xBet Cup, where we defeated Bilda FC 2-1 last Thursday at Aspire Stadium in Oshodi. However, my own focus in the team is how to motivate the players and inspire them.
“I’ve tried my best in that regard, especially by bringing big-name people of Nigerian football like Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu and Ambassador Fanny Amun to lecture our players. I also share my career experience with them.
“I am quite happy with what I am doing, and I thank the club’s owner, Mr Sesi Toku, who is also the leader of Iba Coaches Council, for allowing me to prove my management skills. Everything is going well, but I always aspire to get better,” Agwu concluded.
