The head coach of the Benin Republic national football team, Gernot Rohr, has stressed that he did not accept his current job based on monetary gains.
Gernot Rohr who coached the Super Eagles from 2016 to 2021 said he made a conscious choice to accept a significant pay cut when he transitioned to coaching the Benin Cheetahs.
During his time with the Super Eagles, Rohr’s salary was reported to be approximately $45,000 per month, reflecting his status as a highly-regarded coach. In contrast, his current compensation with the Benin national team stands at around $25,000 per month, demonstrating a notable reduction in income.
Rohr emphasized that his motivation for accepting the Benin job goes beyond financial considerations. He expressed his passion for football and a desire to embark on a new adventure.
Gernot Rohr stated, “I was fortunate to have a long career of more than fifty years in professional football; I did not come for the money. I accepted half of my salary that I had in Nigeria. If I had come for the money, I would not have come.
“I came for an adventure, for a great project, in a friendly country, which I had already appreciated by coming to play there.”
Note that Gernot Rohr has helped Benin Republic to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and he is expected to help them qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.