Allardyce tasks Rooney to emulate Okocha as captain

England national team coach, Sam Allardyce, has urged Three Lions captain, Wayne Rooney to emulate retired Super Eagles captain, Austin Okocha, describing him as the best team captain he ever worked with as a coach.

Allardyce, who was the coach of Bolton when Okocha was the captain of the team, admitted that the Nigeria Football Federation’s technical committee board member has set the bar high for any other skipper to emulate.

“On and off the field, Jay Jay was the captain you looked for,” Allardyce said. “In a multi-national side from all over the world, he could speak four different languages and communicate very well with some of the players who couldn’t speak quite as good English.

“He sorted the odd scuffle out in the dressing room, talked to the players about how we had to go out and win. He’d take the manager’s instructions and apply them in the right way.

“Then there was outstanding ability on the field, leading by example and showing everybody he wasn’t a mercenary which was suggested in the beginning, that he’d only come for the money.”

Okocha spent four years with the Lancashire outfit from 2002, making 145 appearances.

The 38 year-old’s time with Bolton coincided with their rise up the Premier League under Sam Allardyce, a period that also included a League Cup final appearance and a European campaign.

Also Allardyce has urged retained ‘Three Lions’ captain, Wayne Rooney, to follow in the footstep of the former PSG midfielder.

Allardyce admits he will expect Rooney to become his voice on the pitch and a player prepared to make changes during the game if required.

“Wayne has been an excellent captain for England and the manner in which he has fulfilled the role made it an easy decision for me to ask him to continue,” he said.

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