Osun United coach, Samson Unuanel is set to take necessary legal action against people who have been writing pieces on social media to intentionally tarnish his image in the football community, saying he has been patient enough for the derogatory comments about him since he was signed by the management of Omoluabi Giants.
In an apparent reaction to a piece written by someone on a social media platform where he was accused of anti-club activities and lies, Unuanel said he had endured enough and that proper steps should taken to ensure that the allegations against him are cleared while his integrity remains intact.
Coach Unuanel, who announced his resignation with Osun United but was quickly appealed to, by the new management of Omoluabi Giants to carry on, said he agreed to become the coach of the team when being approached by late Taiwo Ogunjobi’s management board last year because they promised him full support to be able to build a formidable team for the state.
“When I was considered for the job by late Chief Ogunjobi’s board, they told me to raise a formidable team for the state based on my pedigree as the coach that powered the team to the NPFL in 2007/08 before I left the position for Ocean Boys’.
‘I started with an open camping while professional players also came for trial and together with my assistants pencilled down names of those I believed were good enough but some of these players took to their heels when the management said they couldn’t pay them even half of the salaries they requested for because the club is not buoyant enough’, said Unuanel.
The former Sunshine Stars coach continued that he had no option than to sign those who were good enough and were ready to take what the management offered.
‘In one of the friendly matches we played in Ibadan against 3sc which ended in a draw, Chief Ogunjobi (of blessed memory) was satisfied with the boys performance and even told me that once they gelled together, they would be a team to beat in the league. His words of encouragement also made some of these players stay because they knew what their colleagues were being paid in other states’.
“The criticism started after the 1-1 draw against Abia Comets at home and as a professional coach, criticisms are part of this job’. I first resigned when I discovered a sabotage from some players and forces outside but when given assurance and support by the new management, I rescinded my decision and forged ahead’.
‘However, outbursts of some people about me on the social media are no more criticisms but now a defamation of character, which I can’t condone anymore. In the home loss against 3sc, some boys threatened me and my players, called me names, alleged that I destabilised the team with some sets of players and called me a liar which I ignored. But taking all these to the social media platform is what I can’t tolerate’, chided Unuanel.
‘After the assessment of our first round performance with the new management, we brought in 3 players during the transfer window and 4 players who could not meet up with the task were asked to go. Two of those boys are now with Samson Siasia in Abuja, while the other two have been registered by another team in Lagos. I acted quickly with the management to complete the registration procedure of the 3 new players, to strengthen the squad. All these are to make the team stronger while some elements are trying to pull it down, this is unfair’.
“Although I am born, brought up and bred in Osogbo but I can’t say because of the love I have for this club and the state, I will now fold my arms and watch a layman tarnish my image, Never!, proper steps should be taken”, concluded the former Kwara United coach.