Oliseh starts relation fight at Fortuna

Former Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh has start work at Dutch second division side Fortuna Sittard. At resumption, the Nigerian stated that his immediate target with the club is to steer them away from the relegation zone.

The former Ajax midfeilder signed a two and half year deal with Fortuna Sittard, becoming the first ever African to take charge of a club in the Netherlands.

Oliseh who told Extrasportsnigeria.com last week he was excited to work with the club told the official club website on resumption on Monday he now has an opportunity to prove himself as a coach and bring his football philosophy to play at the club.

He said, “I am very happy to be here because this is a good opportunity for me. Years ago, I got the highest coaching diploma in England, in a class with guys like Ryan Giggs and Roberto Di Matteo. Now I want to bring my football philosophy into practice. There were other clubs interested in me.

“But they are thousands of kilometres away from my home (in Belgium). And I want to be close to my family. My family means the world to me; is more important than training. But training I love to do most.

“I contacted Fortuna myself. I have a manager, but I did it myself partly because I wanted to get a feel for the club; What kind of club is Fortuna, where does the club want to go? I spoke with Charly Chudik and liked the conversation we had.”

Oliseh who revealed that his last game for Ajax was against Fortuna Sittard in a cup final at the De Kuip in Rotterdam hopes to make amend for his new side by developing a style of football at the club.

“Every weekend I go to watch a match somewhere in the area.

“The last game I played for Ajax was against Fortuna in a cup final at the De Kuip in Rotterdam. It was a good game for me, because we won. So it was not for Fortuna.

“Maybe I can now make it up to Fortuna by becoming the trainer here. I had actually hoped to start as a trainer somewhere by the start of next season. But this opportunity came along and now I’m here.”

His immediate task is to stop the slide. Fortuna are currently placed 18th with 15 points.