“It is a big lie” – Emmanuel Dennis finally fires back at ex-Cologne director

The German administrator held the Super Eagles forward responsible for his abrupt dismissal from his post at the Bundesliga club at the end of last term, but the Nigerian has issued a response

Nigerian attacker Emmanuel Dennis has hit back at former Cologne sporting director Horst Heldt after the German administrator reprimanded him a few months ago.

Heldt was sacked in July after Cologne confirmed their place in the German top-flight, and he took a swipe at Dennis add another Nigerian forward, Tolu Arokodare.

Dennis joined Cologne from Club Brugge temporarily in January but failed to justify the 1.2 million euros Cologne paid for his services.

The 23-year-old did not register a goal in nine Bundesliga appearances causing Heldt to label his signing a mistake while faulting the winger’s character, which he said did not fit the Cologne team.

After more than five months, Dennis has finally responded to the criticisms from the man who facilitated his move to Germany.

Heldt’s outbursts came after he was removed from his posts at Cologne, and Dennis has pointed at that as the reason Heldt was looking for who to blame for his ouster.

“This man has since been released,” Dennis told the newspaper Nieuwsblad (via 90min).

“He had to come up with an answer as to why it didn’t work. Since it was already known that I should have an attitude problem, he took advantage of it. It was the simplest explanation.

“But it is a big lie. I had no problems with that.”

Dennis added that contrary to Heldt’s claims about his attitudinal problems, he got on well with the coaches at Cologne.

“The coaches liked me. I just didn’t like the style of football,” said Dennis.

The three-time Nigerian international also gave reasons his spell in Germany did not go as he would have liked.

“My toe hurt so badly that I played with painkillers. It only got worse.”

Dennis was not allowed to participate in Cologne’s successful relegation fight against Holstein Kiel, but he is pleased the Billy Goats maintained their Bundesliga status.

“I’m glad they stayed, but I feel guilty because I couldn’t help the club.

“Cologne have great fans, and I was treated well,” concluded Dennis.

The former Club Brugge winger has since moved to Watford, where he has three goals and three assists in nine Premier League games for the Hornets.