Oldham Athletic manager Lee Johnson has revealed he turned down the opportunity to face off against the World Cup champions… for international minnows Gibraltar.
The Latics boss was asked if he would consider playing for Gibraltar, who is not yet a full member of FIFA, against the Germany.
The 33-year-old played for Kilmarnock as recently as 2012, but could not be lured out of retirement even for such a tempting offer.
“I just got a phone call from an agent saying ‘they are searching for players that could be eligible, would you be interested?’ the Latics boss told the BBC.
“I was shocked. I rang the chairman and the chairman said ‘you’ve got to do it; we’re going to get all the players there’.
“It was nice to be thought of again in those terms but I don’t really want to be running after the world champions when we’ve got a game on Saturday.”
Johnson is currently the Football League’s youngest manager, having been at Oldham since March 2013.
His father is Yeovil Town’s boss, Gary Johnson, and it is through him that his Gibraltarian heritage lies.
“It’s a funny one because my Nan – my dad’s mum – is a full Gibraltarian,” Johnson said.
The British Overseas Territory has a population of just over 30,000 and are participating in their first ever European Championship qualifying campaign after UEFA accepted them as a full member in 2013.
The Mediterranean territory lost 7-0 in their opening qualifier 7-0 against Poland.
They face Germany, as well as Scotland and Ireland, in their bid for qualification.
Johnson, however, turns his attention to Oldham’s League One match against Scunthorpe on Saturday.
Image courtesy of OfficialOAFC, via YouTube, with thanks.
