Recently appointed manager of Enugu Rangers International, Fidelis Ilechukwu has expressed that “he is one of the best managers in Nigeria.
Ilechukwu spoke highly of his managerial abilities, saying that in terms of “managerial skills” he is up there amongst the best.
The former MFM manager who is yet to win a major domestic trophy said this during a Sunday night interview which was anchored by UK-based Nigerian journalist, Abayomi Ademetan on the Lets Gist Naija platform.
Fidelis Ilechukwu started his career as manager of MFM, spending 13 meritorious years at the Nigerian club.
Ilechukwu led the miniature club to the top-flight and they ruffled feathers in the league.
Additionally, he guided the club to the CAF Champions League and that was a great feather on his cap.
The quadragenarian left for Heartland FC of Owerri in 2019 and he spent 2 years at the club, leading the Naze Millionaires to a 13th-placed finish during the 2020/21 season.
Despite a topsy-turvy stint at the club, he was able to help the team keep their spot in the top flight of the Nigeria football pyramid.
Fidelis Ilechukwu afterwards exited the side for Plateau United, where he spent 2 seasons; 2021/22 and 2022/23.
He led the coal city side to a 2nd placed finish in his first season, securing a CAF Champions League qualification spot.
In his second season with the 2017 Nigerian top division champions, Ilechukwu missed out on a possible shot at the continent by the whiskers as they didn’t qualify for the NPFL Super 6 after finishing 5th in Group A.
He afterwards left Plateau United despite offers over a renewal of his two-year deal, which was signed in 2021.
Excerpt from the exclusive interview on the Lets Gist Naija platform anchored by UK-based Nigerian journalist, Abayomi Ademetan, Sunday night, Fidelis Ilechukwu stated confidently that he is amongst the best managers in the country.
He said: “It is very very important you know that Ilechukwu is one of the best managers when you talk of managerial skills”.
Additionally, the Nigerian manager shared that if you want to manage people or crowds, you need to be given “freedom of speech” to look at things they have said to produce the best results.
Enugu Rangers finished 8th in Group B last term in the Abridged 2022/23 Nigeria Premier Football League, just one spot above relegation places.
He has been handed the herculean task of steering the side that won the 2016 Nigerian top-flight league title under Imama Amapakabo back to success.
Only time will tell if Fidelis Ilechukwu can be able to achieve greatness on the NPFL side.