Emmanuel Adebayor, retired from professional football since his stint with Paraguayan club Olimpia, has firmly stated his disinterest in pursuing a coaching career or seeking leadership roles within the Togolese Football Federation (FTF).
In an exclusive interview with Afrik-Foot on Monday, Adebayor addressed speculations surrounding his potential candidacy to replace Paulo Duarte as head coach of the Togo national team, known as the Eperviers.
“No, no, no! I have always been clear that coaching doesn’t interest me,” Adebayor emphasized. “I don’t have the temperament for it.
I know myself well enough to understand that I could step onto the field and lose control, which isn’t acceptable. I’ve made it clear that coaching is not for me.”
Regarding speculation about assuming a leadership role akin to Samuel Eto’o at the Cameroonian Federation (Fecafoot) or Didier Drogba’s failed bid for the Ivorian Federation (FIF) presidency, Adebayor expressed a similar reluctance.
“I’m not interested in a paid position within the Togolese setup. I prefer a role where I can mentor, advise, and share my experiences with young players.
That’s where I find fulfillment and joy,” he explained. “Being a federation president would restrict my ability to engage with players on a personal level, something I value deeply.”
Despite his desire to contribute positively to Togolese football, Adebayor lamented his strained relationship with the Togolese Federation and the Ministry of Sports.
These tensions have prevented him from having access to the national team or participating in its activities, a situation he views as unjust.
“I am unfairly barred from approaching the Eperviers and engaging with the players,” Adebayor criticized.
“This restriction hampers my ability to positively impact the team and share my insights, which I believe could benefit the players.”
Adebayor’s career, spanning illustrious spells with clubs like Arsenal, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur, has seen him accumulate a wealth of experience.
Despite not actively pursuing formal coaching or administrative roles, he remains committed to contributing to the development of young talent in Togo in whatever capacity possible.
As the football community watches his next steps closely, Adebayor’s focus remains on leveraging his experience to mentor and guide emerging footballers, advocating for fair access to opportunities within the sport he loves.
