“I accepted half my Nigeria salary to coach Benin” – Gernot Rohr reflects on career choices

Former Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, has opened up about his career choices, revealing that he accepted a salary cut to take on his role as the head coach of the Benin national football team. Soccernet.ng reports. 

During his time as head coach of the Nigerian national football team, the German tactician earns $45,000 as a salary.

While exact figures are not disclosed, Rohr has acknowledged that the pay is much lower than he received while coaching Nigeria. It is suggested that his salary could be no more than $25,000

Rohr, who boasts over 40 years of experience in football management, emphasised that his decision to coach the Cheetahs of Benin was driven by passion rather than financial gain.

“I was lucky to have a long career of more than fifty years in professional football, I did not come for the money. I accepted half of my salary that I had in Nigeria. If I had come for the money, I would not have come. I came for an adventure, for a great project, in a friendly country, which I had already appreciated by coming to play there.” Rohr said, as quoted by Girondins4ever.

The 71-year-old coach acknowledged that, like many African nations, Benin faces occasional issues with timely payment of salaries and bonuses, but he expressed understanding and patience.

Rohr went on to say that despite the challenges, the essence of football in Africa is about the dedication of people working tirelessly for their countries and teams, regardless of financial obstacles.

He explained: “Like everywhere in Africa, there can sometimes be small problems with the payment of salaries, bonuses, but it does not matter, because there are honest people who are in front of us, and we know that there are times when you have to be patient, when there are sometimes other priorities in the country.”

Gernot Rohr’s exit as head coach of the Super Eagles was influenced by a combination of underwhelming results and mounting issues with team discipline.

In December 2021, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) dismissed the German coach after several disappointing performances, including a near-failure in World Cup qualification.