SL10: News filtering around the social media states that the management of Kwara United have relieved the coaching crew of the team of its duties. Are you aware of the latest development?

Samson Unuanel: I'm not aware of such, I only read it on the social media. The only information I'm waiting for is the hosting by the State Government after the promotion success. That is what the Sports Commissioner told us. I'm a football coach, I'm not surprised that such a thing happened. I thank God and 't have any regret.

SL10: At the first time of asking your wards delivered a promotion ticket after relegation to the Nigeria National League, how fulfilled are you after the feat?

The team was third on the log as at week 27 in the 2012/13 Nigeria Professional Football League. We had a week 28 home match against Warri Wolves before some elements sponsored some people, they ran onto pitch and beat the assistant referee to a coma. We were banished to Lokoja and this led to the relegation of the team. The team went down and I decided not to go back to Ilorin after the failure. The major stakeholders in Ilorin insisted that I stayed at the club. Majority of the playing staff left and that was a big challenge for me. If you look critically at my coaching history, I like to work with green horns and players that are ready to sacrifice for the good of the team. I went to Omu Aran, Ajashe, Erinle and Offa to recruit players that formed the nucleus of the current team. In all, I dedicate the promotion success to God.

We saw the emergence of some talented players like Ismaila Gata and Idowu Animashaun in the past NNL season. Why do you believe in youthful players?

I'm a grassroots coach. I have managed teams in all divisions in Nigeria. It's a case of understanding the kind of players you want to achieve success. God has given me what it takes to do well. If at the end of the day Alhaji Mohammed Haruna Maigidansama decides to go to Press and say that the coach that nurtured the best attack in the NNL and the best brand of football in the NNL, it's not a fair decision. A coach who pays players' bonuses when they are rioting, a coach that takes players like his brothers and a coach that carries his team along deserves better than this shabby treatment. My technical crew kept the team intact despite some of the shortcomings of the management. If the management can come out to say we have been sacked without any respect to our contribution other than saying for disciplinary reasons; it's not a good thing to say. I would have resigned four weeks ago, but the Executive of the Supporters' Club, the Executive of the Fans' Club and those that matter most in the state convinced me to stay. It’s to the glory of God and to the good people of Kwara State that I led Kwara United back to the Premiership.

During the turbulent times of the club it was reported that most of the players listened to you despite plans to protest their entitlements. What did you tell them?

We had a lot of problems during the last NNL season. I made them understand that our careers were under fire if we didn't achieve our objective. The players are my children, they are very disciplined. Five players weren't available for the Ranchers Bees match. Players love me because of the way I relate with them. The management failed to take care of the players and I accomodated eleven players in my house. We shared the same toilet, kitchen and so on. Tell me if the players won't lay their lives for the team with me at the saddle of affairs. That was how I managed the team.

A lot of people didn't give Kwara United a chance against Ranchers Bees after the two-all stalemate in Kaduna. What was the magic words you told the boys in Abuja?

I give kudos to my psychologist, Mr Gbenga Akinola and Zubaru Ali. We assessed our boys, the situation and the environment. We made them understand the importance of the game and motivated them to go for the winning goal. We knew their tactics, we changed our warm up system and went for the best players. We wanted total football from the boys and they carried out the tactical plan effectively.

What was the support like from the Kwara State Government?

I have worked in many places. I must admit that Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has been a football-loving man. He is a man of his words and deserves to be celebrated for his moral and financial support. In the 2012/13 season, more than N41 million was paid on clearance and N180 million was spent on sign-on fees. In the 2013/14 campaign, the sum of N270 million was released by the same government. What do you think I will say to such government? A whole lot of gratitude goes to the government. The governor has done well, other governors should emulate him.

A lot has been said on the funds released to the team by the state government recently. Can you shed more light on that?

What is keeping our remaining 30% sign-on fees? A lot of agents have been sending series of mails and also beeping my phone line for the entitlements of their wards. The monies have been approved by the state government. Until football is being run by people that are not self centred, we won't get it right. 130% sign-on fees was approved by the state government, but some elements just decided not to do the right thing. The players had a stop-over in Kaduna and decided not to continue with the journey. I had to appeal to them to be committed and put the club’s priority first. After talking to them, they decided to continue with the journey.

Most of the fans love your style of play. What made them fall in love with the team?

I was trained in Germany and that's my passion. I showed everyone practical training. The fans all love me, they gave me an award even before the season ended. We played good football and had the youngest team on parade. The match between Kwara United and Kogi United had the Gata brothers in action at opposite ends. The last born of the Gata family was in action for us. Everyone attested to our tactical pattern. We don't go for names, we go for the talented players. We registered 35 players, 24 were Kwara indegenes and 10 had not tasted the domestic league before.

That's the programme of the governor, Youth Empowerment. Most of the young boys have landed properties.

Who are the people you look up to in the game?

I appreciate the roles Coach Adegboyega Onigbinde and Kashimawo Laloko played in my life. They thought me how to endure. A lot of people credit your man-management of players. How did you get such gift?

I had my attachment in Cologne and I must confess I learnt a lot in terms of players' management at the club.