Anglo-Nigerian Coach Reveals Why He Is Leaving Chelsea For Trabzonspor

English-born coach of Nigerian descent, Eddie Newton confirmed today that he has ended his association with Chelsea and joined the coaching staff of Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor.

Blues legend Newton, who is famous for scoring in the 1997 FA Cup final vs Middlesbrough, was an assistant coach to Frank Lampard at Chelsea and previously worked in the same capacity with Roberto Di Matteo and Guus Hiddink.

In a parting message posted on Instagram, Newton explained that he left Chelsea because the chance to work at Trabzonspor was too good to turn down, adding that he wanted to step out of his comfort zone.

Part of the message read, "I would like to thank everyone at Chelsea the board, all the staff for your support in helping me develop over the years, also to the players and fans you have all become my second family to me and I will never forget all the great memories that we have created and shared together.

"However I have been offered a fantastic opportunity that I couldn’t turn down. Opportunities like this come very rarely and I feel it’s time that I test my self in another environment.

"Excited because of my new venture in Turkey with Trabzonspor, this is truly a club with intelligent ambition to build the club structures, not only for the immediate future but beyond, this is an exciting time for Trabzonspor, I believe timing is everything in life and I believe this is a great time to be joining this club and I am looking forward to the challenge of the Super Lig along side Hüseyin çimşir".

Newton links up with two Nigerian players at Trabzonspor - former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel and striker Anthony Nwakaeme - and is expected to be in the dugout when Trabzonspor face Fenerbahce in the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel