Pernyataan yang dikeluarkan pengacara pelatih Jerman itu menyebutkan bahwa pelatih itu mengambil tindakan tersebut karena sikap Asosiasi Sepakbola Nigeria selama dan setelah berlangsung Piala Nasional Afrika mengarah kepada hubungan yang kurang baik antarmereka.
A statement issued by his lawyers said that the German coach took the action because the measures and the behaviour of the Nigerian Football Association during and after the African Cup have led to a loss of confidence concerning further cooperation.