Italian striker Stefano Okaka explained that he joined Belgian club Anderlecht due to what he perceived to be incompetent management at his former club Sampdoria.
The 25-year-old forward felt slighted by a contract offered to him by the Blucerchiati after he earned his first senior call up to the Italy side in November 2014.
“I needed a change of air which is something that can happen when you’re in a club that’s run by incompetent people,” announced Okaka to Foot Magazine.
“I’ll explain everything to you: I arrived in January from Parma and the sporting director didn’t want me.
“I joined the Blucerchiati thanks to the coach Sinisa Mihajlovic and the sporting director used to justify himself by saying that he had read some negative things about me on Facebook, on Facebook!
“I always worked hard and was never gifted opportunities.
“In April, I was called to the president’s office alongside another player.
“They said to my team-mate that he was fantastic and would receive an improved contract.
“They then told me that they were very busy and my contract would be adjusted and my wages cut.
“I then doubled my efforts in training and as a reward earned a place in the national team.
“President [Massimo] Ferrero congratulated me and promised me a new contract, one with the same benefits as before!
“It was too much for me.”
The former Roma striker went on to offer his early impressions of life in the Belgian Pro League compared to Serie A.
“The rhythm is different here, it’s a lot quicker than in Italy,” added Okaka.
“To be honest, I thought that it would be easier here in Belgium.
“It’s a very physically demanding competition.”
