There are indications that Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu ‘Working One’ may finally quit his role with Heartland FC of Owerri before the end of the season owing to management poor welfare and attitude towards him and his backroom personnel.
The Naze Millionaires despite its good run in their last seven matches in the Nigerian Professional Football League(NPFL), sadly have not paid Ilechukwu and his assistants a dime as match winning bonus since he took over the club.
According to our source who pleaded anonymity as he would not want to used as a scapegoat by Heartland’s management let the cat out of the bag in a tete-a-tete after the club shared the spoils with their bitter Oriental Derby rivals, Enyimba.
“I stand to be corrected as the facts are there to see in Heartland account books and pay vouchers, Coach Ikechukwu and his assistants have not received any money been matches bonuses after he joined the club from MFM FC of Lagos.
“It appears the management have kept the cash meant to pay bonuses for these hardworking coaches in their private pockets, then fabricated lies that the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma and Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development are not aware that coaches earn match bonuses. Hence they are not liable to source the funds outside what the state approved to it monthly.
“This lies by the club management is getting on the nerves of Ilechukwu and his assistants, who feel let down. The end result of this poor management skill may in the long run effect the productivity of the coaching crew, as they watch in anguish when players smile away with their winning and draw bonuses.
” In the NPFL, a coach is as good as his last results; so if Heartland think Camara has no offers or radar of some top clubs, then they have shot themselves in the foot. Despite poor welfare in the club in the past seven months, Ilechukwu still gets the job done by getting results at home and on the road.
“I fear Ilechukwu may have it enough with the management of Heartland. Camara who has been professional in dealing with things by respecting his contract could walk away from the club if things don’t change for the better,” our source surmised.
Heartland who are 10th on the NPFL log after picking a point against Enyimba will host Rivers United in a MatchDay 25 fixture in Owerri on Sunday.