Kelvin Okechukwu Ejeh has stepped down as assistant coach at Enyimba of Aba, ending an acrimonious working relationship with head coach Emmanuel Deutsch Gustavo. Ejeh submitted his resignation to the club's hierarchy, citing what he described as a breakdown of trust and a toxic atmosphere within the backroom staff.

"Enyimba is a club so dear to me, but you see, I don't function effectively under a toxic environment," Ejeh told Complete Sports on Saturday. "When your boss begins to listen to gossip without recourse to hearing from you, then it becomes clear that trust is gone and the working relationship has been severed. So, I had to leave."

A coaching career forged through loyalty and longevity

Ejeh, affectionately nicknamed "Mourinho" by those close to him, joined the Nigerian Army in 1999 and served in Maiduguri before leaving the military in 2006 under what he called similar circumstances — requesting certain things that were not forthcoming before deciding to walk away.

He subsequently became head coach of Abia Comets, spending 12 years in the dugout with the second-tier club. His move to Enyimba came during the 2025/26 season alongside Gustavo, following the departure of Stanley Eguma.

"I was at Abia Comets for 12 years before I came to Enyimba. You know Enyimba is a club close to my heart, but now, life goes on," Ejeh reflected.

Warm words despite a bitter exit

Despite the circumstances of his resignation, Ejeh was magnanimous toward those he leaves behind. He praised Gustavo — a Cameroon-born coach — as a senior brother and mentor, and expressed gratitude to club chairman and former Super Eagles captain Kanu Nwankwo for his leadership of the nine-time Nigerian champions.

"I appreciate my boss, Emmanuel Deutsch. He is like a senior brother to me, and I have learned a lot from him," Ejeh said. "I must wholeheartedly appreciate our great chairman, Kanu Nwankwo, for his leadership quality."

Ejeh also singled out the Enyimba faithful, saying their relentless hunger for success would be among the things he misses most. "I will miss the Enyimba fans, who always want the best from everybody in the team. I love them all," he added.

What comes next

On his immediate future, Ejeh said his manager is already canvassing opportunities on his behalf, though nothing has been confirmed. "The game is dynamic, and everything changes with time. My manager is working on various options, and if anything crops up, he will let me know," he explained.

In the meantime, Ejeh intends to spend time with his family and continue his academic studies. He is currently enrolled at Abia State Polytechnic in the Department of Sports Management — proof, he suggests, that life away from the dugout still holds purpose.