Southampton FC of England have unveiled a Nigerian coach to head their football academies in Lagos.
The English Premier League club, which signed Super Eagles star, Joseph Aribo during the summer transfer window, is taking another giant step in their relations with Nigeria.
This has been made possible through the efforts of a United Kingdom-based youth football promoter, Mr. David Doherty, who recently contested for the office of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president.
Although he eventually did not win the NFF election, which was won by Ibrahim Gusau, Doherty has gone ahead to implement the contribution that he promised to bring home to Nigerian football through his connections in Great Britain.
Consequently, Doherty has been able to link Southampton with three schools in Lagos State, where the club’s latest overseas academy has taken off, with fast-growing youth developer, Oluwaseun Savage as head coach.
Savage (aka International Coach), who is a Level 1 coach educator of Premier Skills project and British Council youth developer, was recently unveiled to run The Saints’ academy operations at British International School and Greensprings College in Lekki and The Grange School, Ikeja GRA.
The youthful tactician, who is also currently head coach of Sports Education Plus (SportEdu), under the banner of Doherty’s diaspora affiliate, Team Nigeria UK, also hinted that a fourth outlet may soon be opened at Masterguide College, Egbeda should their plans for expanded sponsorship see the light of the day.
Savage expatiated: “This project, which is the brainchild of Mr. David Doherty, also aims to create employment for young and vibrant Nigerian coaches in the country.
“The plan is to reach out to more schools in Nigeria and develop more young talents through them.
“I say thank you to everyone who believes in me and backed me to head this project. It’s time to do it the Southampton Way.”
