Murat Yakin keeps door open for Noah Okafor despite Switzerland fallout

Leeds United winger Noah Okafor has been handed renewed hope of an international recall after Switzerland manager Murat Yakin insisted he is not giving up on the player, despite public criticism earlier in the season.

Yakin addressed Okafor’s situation while speaking to Watson, responding to the controversy that followed the attacker’s omission from recent Switzerland squads. Okafor has not featured for the national team since November 2024, with sections of the Swiss media placing responsibility for his absence firmly at his own door.

In October, Blick reported that Okafor’s attitude during the European Championship had raised concerns, later claiming there had been a misunderstanding between the player and Yakin during the tournament.

Since joining Leeds from AC Milan last August, Okafor has been a regular under Daniel Farke. The winger has logged more than 1,200 minutes across 20 appearances for the Whites, establishing himself as a consistent option at Elland Road.

That club form, however, has not translated into a Switzerland recall. Yakin overlooked Okafor during the last three international breaks, a decision that clearly frustrated the player.

Two months ago, Okafor went public with his dissatisfaction, criticising both Yakin and Switzerland national team director Pierluigi Tami for what he felt was a lack of communication.

Tami had previously urged Okafor to show patience, suggesting the winger was not bringing positive energy into the national team environment. Yakin has now echoed that sentiment, while stopping short of closing the door completely.

“I think it’s a shame when dissatisfaction is aired publicly,” Yakin said. “If the team performs well and wins, a fringe player can figure out that he’ll need some patience. And the players can always call me if they want to talk.”

The Switzerland manager also rejected the idea that the criticism had damaged their relationship.

“No, it didn’t hurt,” Yakin explained. “I’m in a good position to judge. I spoke with Noah repeatedly during the European Championship year. I told him that I valued his qualities, but that he also faced competition for his position.”

Despite the tension, Yakin made it clear that Okafor’s international future is not over — particularly given his regular involvement at Leeds.

“There’s always a way,” he said. “Like I said, I don’t take things like that personally and I don’t hold grudges. We’ve spoken on the phone, and I’ll be visiting him in Leeds soon.”

Those comments underline that while Yakin was disappointed by how the situation was handled publicly, he remains open to repairing the relationship.

With Yakin planning a visit to Leeds and Okafor continuing to play regularly, the coming months could prove decisive. A sustained run of form — combined with a calmer approach off the pitch — may yet earn the winger a route back into the Switzerland setup.

Should Noah Okafor let his performances at Leeds do the talking — or was his frustration with Switzerland understandable?