Everything about football is finished — Chukwueze reveals one job he will never do

Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze believes that coaching is a tougher profession than playing football, and he insisted that he will not venture into a managerial career path when he retires from his current playing one.

The 26-year-old has had a topsy-turvy playing career but is recently enjoying a rich vein of form in the Premier League with Fulham and with the Super Eagles at the ongoing African Cup of Nations.

He participated in a Sky Sports game with four other members of the Cottagers’ squad, in which they were asked if being a footballer was tougher than being a manager. Chukwueze was the only one to disagree with the premise, and he made a strong argument in defence of his stance.

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The Nigeria international argued that footballers had the avenue to disconnect in a way managers cannot, as their job requires constant worrying and tinkering. He explained the coach’s job description required them to devote more time and that the stress levels were off the chart, before adding that he will never consider taking a coaching job when he retires.

“It's more difficult because they don't sleep; they crack their head every night. Imagine being a manager; you age quickly,” Chukwueze argued.

“You have to think about a lot of things: putting the players first, arranging the first eleven every week, and having so many fantastic players. The tactical side is there too, watching clips. You arrive at 7 a.m. and leave by 12 midnight. Imagine being in that situation.

“Then, on the touchline, you have to scream at the players. You'll have to take Panadol, paracetamol every time you go home. For me, I think it's the hardest work. If I end my career, everything about football is finished, done.

His teammate, Josh King, was one of the four who agreed with the motion that being a footballer was tougher, and he countered Chukwueze by saying that footballers faced more pressure and that they were the ones doing the actual job on the pitch.

The ex-Villarreal man retorted, citing the low job security in the managerial profession. “You're on the pitch to do your job. Check it this way, when you lose a game, who gets sacked? The coach, no?”

“They don't sack you. His work is more difficult. Every night, he just hopes and prays his players do the right thing.”