Leke James has told SCORENigeria that Manchester United boss Ole Gunner Solskjaer played a big role for him to get his career back on track after a knee injury had sidelined for a whole year and it looked like he had reached a dead end.
The Molde FK striker said the coach monitored him in his last phase of rehabilitation and gave him time to be fit again.
He also talked about his ambitions and achievements.
The full interview:
SCORENIGERIA: Who can you say discovered you?
LEKE JAMES: I was a grassroots football player. We played street football and play against teams at different streets. On the fateful day, we had a game and I played well, after the game somebody came to tell me someone want to see me. When I got there, he was an ex-international Akin Akinsehinde. He encouraged me and said I will go places if I keep working hard. We built a relationship. He pulled some strings for me.
What motivated you to choose football as a career?
Actually at the initial stage, I was playing it for fun just as a hobby and not looking at career aspect of it. It was school that mattered to me and my parents then.
What now changed your impression?
As time went by, people started talking to me, encouraging me and pushing me to take it more seriously. Then I started looking at the gain of being a professional footballer. My approach to the game started changing.
Why did you decide to quit Norway for China when you did?
I have been at Aalesunds for four years. So I wanted to experience something different. I wanted to do something different from what I am used to. It was a great experience and I am happy that I took that step. I enjoyed it while it lasted and I never regretted taking that decision.
You were injured for a year, how was the feeling while you were sidelined?
That was the most terrible moment of my career. I was out for over a year. It was tough and frustrating. It got to a point that I was thinking maybe I am going to quit. I was not sure if I could come back, but I kept giving myself hope. My family and friends also motivated me. Thank God I scaled through.
Many players have been in this situation and never came back, how were you able to do this?
It’s God’s grace. I thank God for giving me the grace. I know lots of players who suffered such career-threatening injury and were never the same again.
What role the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played one your recovery?
He really helped me. He gave me a good time to recover. He called for me to join the team Molde FK for my last phase of rehabilitation so he could monitor me. I thank him for all he did to help me get my career and confidence back.
He is now Manchester United’s coach, what kind of manager and person is he?
He is a great guy. He is nice person. He has the good understanding of the game and knows how to get the best from you. He has good rapport with his players.
Have you by chance asked him to consider you for Manchester United?
We communicate once a while, but on playing for Manchester United, there are number of games one needs to play for his country to get work permit to play in England. That’s a barrier to play in the Premier League.
What would you consider as your best football moment?
That was last season because I broke all my personal records. Scored more goals than previous seasons and won the league in Norway.
Which is the best stadium you have played in?
That is Zenit St.Petersbough Stadium in Russia. It is a magnificent stadium, beautiful with good turf. I think it’s one of the best stadiums in the world
It was great talking to you again.
Thank you too.
