Super Eagles forward Tolu Arokodare has credited his sharp start at Ajax to the close connection he has developed with head coach Míchel Sanchez, describing the Spaniard as an entertaining, emotional and fiercely competitive figure.
The 25-year-old joined the Amsterdam club on a season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers on July 29 after a difficult period in England. Wolves were relegated despite Arokodare scoring six times in all competitions. His Ajax agreement includes an option to buy, and the Nigerian has quickly made an impact with five goals from nine matches.
Arokodare has been impressed by Sanchez’s methods, particularly the coach’s determination to win every drill and training exercise. The striker believes the squad understands that such intensity is driven by the manager’s desire to help his players improve.
“He is really hilarious, a very funny person,” Arokodare said. “Honestly, people cannot fully understand the relationship I have with the coach. It is not only me either; it is almost every player. We have an unusual dynamic, but it is not a bad one. You would not want to see what goes on in the meeting room during video sessions and things like that. He can lose it there, then on the pitch he is different.”
He added: “He is very emotional and passionate, and he hates losing at anything. Even in a rondo, he does not want to be beaten. It is about understanding that it comes from love and that he is not trying to destroy you.”
The former Genk striker has won 12 Nigeria caps and scored twice for the national team. Before leaving Belgium, he registered 36 goals in 95 appearances for Genk. Arokodare is now determined to keep learning from Sanchez, his coaching staff and Ajax team-mates as he seeks to strengthen his place in the Super Eagles set-up and turn his move to the Eredivisie club into a permanent transfer.
“I am ready to learn from him, his staff and my team-mates,” Arokodare said. “I am willing to learn, and I believe that is the mentality I have to maintain if I want to develop and grow.”
