After former Salzburg player's retirement: Yakin counters Okafor's accusations
The national team coach reacts to the accusations of former Salzburg player Okafor. The 52-year-old criticizes his approach in particular.
At just 26 years old, former Salzburg player Noah Okafor retired from the Swiss national team.
Okafor cited the way he was treated by head coach Murat Yakin as the reason (read more here >>>).
Now, the national team coach is reacting to the accusations from his former protégé at the squad announcement press conference:
"The doors are always open with me if you discuss it in private, but going public has never had a positive effect on me."
Murat describes situation before the World Cup
During the media briefing, Yakin explained his perspective on the situation with Okafor before the World Cup: "He didn't play in March because he was injured. We called him up for the World Cup squad. He was also injured then, for almost five weeks."
The national team coach knows nothing of alleged unkept agreements: "I don't know which promises or agreements were not kept. I had other players who were much further along at that moment."
"These are players I can count on"
For Yakin, the team's success is paramount: "I count on players who are motivated and who don't prioritize their personal interests, but rather contribute to the team's success first and foremost. These are players I can count on."
