Former Nigeria Coach Gernot Rohr has rubbished comments made by Amaju Pinnick that he lost the dressing room while in charge of the Super Eagles.
The 68-year-old was axed as the handler of the three-time African champions after five years in charge, with Augustine Eguavoen drafted in as an interim replacement.
According to the President of the Nigerian Football Federation, Rohr lost control of his team’s discipline – thus, he had to be fired.
“This is ridiculous. Everybody knows it. The dressing room was always with me,” the German told ESPN.
“All the players are writing to me and thanking me for my professionalism, for my independent work, for my presence.
“The dressing room was 100% behind me. And I hope it will also be 100% behind the new coach.
“I think they already had this prepared. They brought the new coach [Eguavoen] one year ago, so he could have a look.
“He would ask for the technical reports because he was technical director and Paul [Aigbogun], his assistant, was doing for me the work of scouting the opponents.
“But I wish them all the best because I want my players to succeed, to win the Afcon. I want Nigeria to go to the World Cup, and I’m sure that they will,” he added.
Rohr was named as permanent Manager of the three-time African champions in August 2016, following the unceremonious departure of Sunday Oliseh.