Exclusive: Jay Jay Okocha Reveals Why He Never Became a Manager, and Why Today’s Players Must Change

From the dusty streets of Enugu to the dazzling lights of Paris and the roar of Bolton’s Reebok Stadium, Austine “Jay-Jay” Okocha carved a footballing journey defined not just by outrageous skill, but by an irrepressible sense of joy. 

Whether dazzling defenders with drag-backs or gliding past them with a grin, Okocha’s magic was always about more than goals—it was about giving the game its soul.

In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.com, the Nigerian icon reflects on a career that transcended continents, explores why he never swapped boots for a manager’s clipboard, and delivers a passionate plea to the next generation of Nigerian talent. 

Through it all, his message is simple: never underestimate the power of a smile.

A Game Meant to Be Enjoyed

In Enugu, football was everywhere and nowhere. The pitches were improvised, the balls often handmade, but the dreams. They were limitless. A young Jay-Jay juggled them between school, street corners and open spaces, eventually catching the eye of Enugu Rangers—and with them, his journey into professional football began.

From those chaotic beginnings, Okocha ascended to the game’s grandest stages: lighting up the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, the Premier League, and international tournaments with the Super Eagles. 

But ask him what drove him, and the answer isn’t fame or silverware. It’s something far more personal—and more powerful.

“In as much as football is a serious business, we also have to look at the good side of the game,” Okocha told SportsBoom.com, his trademark grin spreading across his face at the memory.

“Football is not a do-or-die affair as long as you know that you always have another chance. One has to always smile.”

That smile became his signature. It lit up stadiums. It charmed rivals. But it also, at times, masked inner conflict.

“Some other time, I smile because I am upset and not because I am happy,” he admitted.

“I just find a way to cover it up on the field – because kids are watching, and I want to show them: it is a sport. It’s serious, but at the end of the day, it’s a sport.”

Why He Never Became a Coach

Okocha’s rise to stardom wasn’t linear. A chance holiday to Germany turned into an unexpected opportunity, when he found himself playing for third-tier Borussia Neunkirchen. It wasn’t long before the top-flight came calling. 

At Eintracht Frankfurt, he announced himself in spectacular fashion, weaving through defenders and scoring a solo goal past none other than Oliver Kahn—Germany’s stoic goalkeeper reduced to a spectator by Nigeria’s own footballing artist.

Given his understanding of the game, it’s no surprise Okocha has often been linked to a career in management. But the man himself is happy to set the record straight.

“Everyone can’t be a coach,” he said plainly.

“It’s always good to try what suits you best and what you have passion for. I don’t think I can withstand the pressure of being a coach because your destiny is not really in your hands.”

For Okocha, football has always been about expression. Coaching, with its clipboard constraints and tactical rigidity, simply never held the same allure.

“It’s not for me,” he added with a shrug, content to leave the stress of substitutions to others.

Super Eagles’ 2026 Hopes and Nigeria’s Footballing Future

Okocha wore the green and white with pride, dazzling at AFCON ‘94, stealing the show at the 1994 World Cup, and securing Olympic gold in 1996. 

Today, he watches Nigeria’s new generation from the sidelines, his belief in their ability still unwavering.

“If I say we don’t have any chance, I will be telling lies. We are not in the best position, but we still have a chance of qualifying—whether through playoffs or whatever means,” he said.

“We know how serious football is in Nigeria and how it unites us. I hope the team qualifies.”

Then vs. Now: A Changing Landscape

It’s clear Okocha still carries Nigeria’s footballing hopes with him. But as he reflects on the modern game, a quiet frustration bubbles beneath the surface. The magic may remain, but the hunger, he fears, has dimmed.

“Nowadays, many players don’t have that gut to improve themselves. That should change.”

It’s not nostalgia—it’s lived experience. Okocha’s path to greatness was not paved by agents or elite academies. It was fuelled by necessity and a deep desire to escape hardship.

“I travelled on my own, bought my ticket, and went to Europe to survive. We didn’t have platforms then,” he recalled.

“What made us strong was that survival attitude—knowing it was an opportunity you couldn’t miss to eradicate poverty in your family.”

While today’s stars travel in style, Okocha’s memories include gruelling six-hour economy flights through Addis Ababa, chasing contracts in far-flung cities. He doesn’t begrudge the comforts of the modern game—but he does warn against complacency.

“If the young ones are complaining about platform and opportunities, it’s just shifting blame and looking for a way out. Who do you expect to support you? Every coach is looking for a good player.”

Investing in the Next Generation

Though he never became a coach, Okocha remains a powerful voice in Nigerian football. And his message to leaders, both sporting and political, is clear.

“Support sports—not just football. Provide good infrastructure so players can maximize their potentials. Governments have been helping, but they can do more.”

For all the tricks and flicks, the free-kicks and flickering feet, Okocha’s greatest message has always been rooted in simplicity: play with joy. Lead with purpose. And above all, smile.

Behind every rainbow flick was a lesson in resilience. Behind every grin, a deeper truth: that football—like life—should be approached with both seriousness and levity. Okocha knew that even on the biggest stages, you could never lose sight of the sheer pleasure of play.

And as long as Jay-Jay Okocha is smiling, the beautiful game remains in good hands.