Mikel likens Eguavoen to Real Madrid coach, Ancelotti

Former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has has praised Super Eagles caretaker coach, Augustine Eguavoen for his ability to get the best out of his players.

Mikel played under Eguavoen at the U-17 level before graduating to the U-20 side.

The 37-year-old then made his senior debut for the Super Eagles under the former defender in 2005.

The former Lyn Oslo of Norway player was named in Nigeria’s squad for the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The Super Eagles finished in third position at the tournament.

Eguavoen is now in charge of the Super Eagles for the fourth time.

“I know the interim manager now, Augustine Eguavoen, who managed me when I was a kid. U-17, he was my coach, took us to the World Cup,” he said on Obi One Podcast.

“Fantastic guy, lovely guy, a manager who gives you all the freedom in the world to express yourself, speaks to you really well.

“He reminds me so much of Carlo Ancelotti, no jokes about that, his man management is top. He speaks to players really well. He is so humble. He communicates with players really well, puts his arm around you.

“He gets his players on his side, that’s so important. You could see coming in on short notice and getting the team to play so well. You can’t teach them so much in such a short space of time.”