Switzerland director Pierluigi Tami says Leeds United‘s Noah Okafor doesn’t suit Murat Yakin’s system and efforts to fit him in weren’t successful.
Earlier this month, the 26-year-old announced his retirement from international football and didn’t hold back while being critical of the national team.
The Leeds United player’s behaviour during the Euro 2024 was questionable and didn’t please his Switzerland teammates and coaching staff. He also had a misunderstanding with Yakin during the tournament.
Okafor didn’t end up featuring for his country in 2025. Last November, he lashed out at the manager an national team director. In February, the latter two travelled to the UK and held positive talks with the player, which resulted in his return.
The attacker missed March’s international break because of an injury and represented them at the World Cup, where he only made one appearance.
Manager clearly unhappy with Leeds United man
Last week, Murat Yakin said Noah Okafor’s performance against Algeria in the World Cup didn’t please him.
On Monday, Pierluigi Tami held a press conference, and Blick have relayed his comments.
When asked about the Leeds United attacker’s retirement, the national team director said he didn’t want to see a talented player like Okafor not represent Switzerland. However, Tami still backs Yakin’s decision.
“I never wanted to lose such a good athlete like him. But Murat was very clear in his press conference. Noah’s qualities sometimes don’t fit his playing style. Murat explained well why Noah doesn’t have a place on the team,” he said.
“The players only see the issue from their own perspective. The coach has to see the whole picture. Murat tried everything to integrate him. In the end, we weren’t satisfied with his performance.”
| Every Leeds United signing 26/27 | Previous Club | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| James Trafford | Manchester City | £40m |
| Tarik Muharemović | Sassuolo | £34m |
| Nico Elvedi | Borussia Mönchengladbach | £7m |
| Michael Zetterer | Eintracht Frankfurt | €5m |
| Harry Wilson | Fulham | Free |
| Melvin Bard | OGC Nice | Loan |
| Jean-Mattéo Bahoya | Eintracht Frankfurt | Loan |
What next for Leeds United player
Murat Yakin has been the national team manager since 2021 and has a contract until July 2028.
The recent comments from the Leeds United man, the coach and Pierluigi Tami indicats the player won’t represent Switzerland at least until Yakin is in charge. He managed two goals and two assists from 26 matches for his country.
This season, Noah Okafor has a goal and an assist from seven matches for Daniel Farke’s side.
