Want-away Micho ought to be treated better

Do Micho Sredojevic’s recent Twitter rants spell the official end of his four-year relationship with Fufa? That is probably a stretch, but the rumors are that with Micho’s in-tray bulging with offers from all over Africa, and with Fufa’s continued inability to pay the man, a world without the expressive but pleasant tactician suddenly becomes possible.

Of course, it will not be a world without football. But the Cranes maybe about to enter a phase that unnecessarily interrupts what we must all admit was a period of better fortunes for the national team.
One would imagine that a forward thinking Fufa would manage the crisis in a manner that suggests they want to retain the services of a man who is largely responsible for the progress and who has, to some extent, sanitised their image.

Yet all that this crisis has revealed are the contradictions in the thinking of Fufa. And the contradictions are obvious. Fufa admits there are grievances to be resolved. Meanwhile they ask the public to disregard any speculation about the matter. What isn’t clear though, is how Fufa expects to stop the rumour-mill from mincing the ‘truth’ without coming out to state when or whether they intend to honour their obligations.

This and the fact that Micho continues to indulge an employer that won’t commit, is more suggestive of his discomfort about bearing responsibility of ending the affair, than it is of Fufa’s negotiating skills. In fact, the whole saga exposes the wider weaknesses in Fufa’s governance. For one the bogus high-handedness that has characterised Fufa’s remuneration policy for national team coaches is wantonly exposed. Not only is it ground for breach of contract, it also breeds the kind of reputation that doesn’t endear Fufa to future candidates, should they decide to sever ties with Micho.

Instead, Fufa is keen to remind whoever will listen that it is under their watch that a lot has improved in our football. But they ought to know that the development of the game also means that Fufa must morph into a credible employer.
It could be that they are struggling with sustaining the Sh36m due to Micho monthly. After all it is not uncommon in these parts for federations to lean on their governments when it comes to such expenses.
But in practice, Fufa has a record of poor accountability.

This means that various stakeholders are unable to appreciate tales of shortages simply because they don’t have visibility on how such matters pan out. This is not to suggest that Fufa report to the national team manager as it would to a Board Chairman, but for Micho to crowd a source for sympathy on Twitter is indicative of a man who has run out of options
The ensuing breakdown of trust looks like the end of Micho’s reign.

But in truth it is just one more illustration of Fufa’s lack of will or their shocking inability to handle basic administrative duties.
Either way, it’s just not the way to treat someone from whom results are expected.

[email protected]
MBanturaki