'Weren't satisfied' - National team 'tried everything' to integrate Leeds United star as director speaks out
Leeds United winger Noah Okafor’s Switzerland situation has been spoken about again.
Swiss national team director Pierluigi Tami says he and head coach Murat Yakin ‘weren’t satisfied’ with Noah Okafor despite trying everything to integrate the Leeds United man.
Okafor stepped down from international duty with Switzerland earlier this month. In a statement, the winger said he would not play under Yakin after he felt ‘trust was broken’ and ‘promises were not kept’ at the World Cup.
The Leeds star played just 19 minutes at the major tournament, coming off the bench against Algeria with his nation already 2-0 up. That was despite coming off the back of an eight goal and one assist Premier League campaign at Elland Road.
Speaking ahead of the current international break, Yakin pointed to recent injury issues and teammates ‘much further along’ than Okafor. The manager’s boss Tami has now had his say on the situation.
“I never wanted to lose such a good athlete as him,” Tami told a press conference, as quoted by Swiss outlet Blick. “But Murat was very clear in his press conference.
“Noah’s qualities sometimes don’t fit his game plan. Murat explained well why Noah doesn’t have a place on the team.
“The players only see the issue from their own perspective. The coach has to see the whole picture. Murat tried everything to integrate him. In the end, we weren’t satisfied with his performances.”
Okafor will therefore not join new teammate Nico Elvedi in joining up with the Switzerland squad. The 26-year-old will instead enjoy some time off before returning to West Yorkshire with his fellow non-international Leeds stars.
Daniel Farke verdict on Noah Okafor decision
Since making the decision to step away from international football, Okafor has certainly felt the love of his club. The winger’s Old Trafford chant has rung around Elland Road twice in the past week and he was pushed in front of the supporters by his teammates after scoring in last week’s 4-1 win over Newcastle United.
Addressing the decision ahead of that win last week, Farke said: “He came to inform me and also explained the reason why. I appreciate that he spoke with me beforehand and I was well informed. It's more or less Noah's decision. He has to decide what is best at this stage for his career.
“All I can say is that we have a home here for Noah. He feels really comfortable and appreciated, and for us he will be a key player. What he decides with his international career, with the national team, that's totally up to him.
“I don't want to get in the way or give too many recommendations. I think it's more or less for Noah’s family to decide what is best.”