Sam Allardyce credits Nigerian legend Jay-Jay Okocha for providing more than just entertainment value during his tenure at Bolton Wanderers.
The former Bolton Wanderers boss has singled out Okocha as the standout player he ever managed during his extensive coaching career.
Allardyce secured the mercurial Nigerian midfielder on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in 2002 after his contract expired, a move he fondly reminisced about in a TikTok video.
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“We signed him after the World Cup had finished from Paris St Germain,” Allardyce recounted. “We got him on a free transfer. Imagine that now, Jay Jay Okocha on a free transfer.”
While acknowledging the significant wages Bolton had to pay to secure Okocha’s signature, Allardyce emphasized that the investment was justified by Okocha’s contributions both on and off the pitch.
“It did have something to do with the rather large wage we paid. It was what he gave the dressing room as well as the entertainment value he gave on the pitch,” Allardyce admitted.
However, Allardyce stressed that Okocha’s impact transcended mere tricks and entertainment. He highlighted Okocha’s leadership qualities, multilingualism, and tactical acumen as crucial aspects of his game.
“He became the captain, he could speak four languages, showed everybody how to play the game of football and some of the tricks, it wasn’t just the tricks but the fact that the tricks paid off. He didn’t lose the ball, he came to the other end with it,” Allardyce emphasized.
Okocha quickly endeared himself to Bolton fans with his magical displays, as Allardyce fondly recalled. “The whole crowd would get on their feet and we were selling these shirts ‘Jay Jay so good they named him twice’. What a delight with it, with the quality of Jay Jay Okocha.”
Allardyce’s tribute to Okocha underscores the profound impact the Nigerian legend had during his time at Bolton Wanderers, highlighting him as the best player Allardyce ever managed in his illustrious coaching career.