Former coach of Manchester United teen sensation Shola Shoretire has revealed that the player’s father want him to play for Nigeria during his formative years.
David Ballantyne a former coach at Newcastle United Academy revealed this in an interview with Newcastle Chronicles in February while speaking on the rise of the first team at Manchester United.
Ballantyne saw Shoretire’s development over two years at his Feet4Football venture before he move to Manchester City and then Old Trafford at the age of 10. It all started with a move to Newcastle United Academy who are wondering how they let him get away.
Still only 17 and yet to be capped by England at senior level where he was born to parents of Nigerian descent, Ballantyne said his father who was always there for his son has always wanted him to play for Nigeria.
‘His dad was determined that he was going to be a player. The talk was to see him play for Nigeria in the future and become the next Okocha. He would stand behind the goal we were attacking, with his flat cap on, shouting out instructions to Shola.
“But Shola was always destined to make it. We say up here you need feet, heart and a head to be a footballer. Two of those aren’t enough. Shola had all three. His determination made him stand out, not just his skill and pace.
“He joined Newcastle and they wanted to keep him under wraps before signing him. That was always going to be very hard.’