Over a month has passed since Finidi George resigned as the head coach of the Super Eagles, the Nigerian national football team. His departure came after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) decided to hire an expatriate technical adviser for the team. This move by the NFF was a significant shift in the coaching direction, leading to Finidi’s decision to step down.
According to reports from Colin Udoh, a former media officer for the Eagles, Finidi George was caught off guard by the news of his resignation. Udoh shared that after a meeting regarding his future, Finidi landed in Port Harcourt. It was there that he received a call informing him about the resignation news. “He had to park his car and read the link to see that it actually was true,” Udoh recounted. This shocking revelation prompted Finidi to wait for two days to see if anyone from the NFF would reach out to him. When no communication came, Finidi felt that the NFF no longer wanted him, leading him to formally submit his resignation.
Despite Finidi’s resignation and his subsequent appointment as the new head coach of Rivers United, the NFF has not yet officially confirmed his departure. This lack of official acknowledgment has puzzled many, including Wale Agbede, the Head of Sports at Plus TV. Agbede expressed his confusion over the NFF’s failure to confirm Finidi’s resignation, stating, “Honestly, I don’t know why they haven’t formally confirmed his resignation.”
Agbede, who has direct sources within the NFF, confirmed that the resignation was genuine. He further explained, “He (Finidi) went ahead to call Finidi, who himself confirmed it.” Despite this confirmation, there remains uncertainty about whether the resignation was officially accepted and the details surrounding the termination of his contract. Agbede revealed that NFF leadership instructed everyone within the federation not to acknowledge the resignation publicly. “Most of the things Finidi knew about his position, he read about in the press,” he added.
There have been rumors suggesting that the NFF might pursue legal action against Finidi for stepping down and accepting the job at Rivers United. Agbede noted, “The legal grounds for suing Finidi as regards taking the Rivers United job will remain unclear until we understand the terms of the contract he signed as the head coach of the Super Eagles.” He elaborated on the potential legal scenarios, mentioning that if the NFF had privately accepted his resignation but failed to acknowledge it publicly, questions could arise about any clauses in Finidi’s contract. These clauses might include restrictions on taking new positions or conditions related to compensation. “There are many legal possibilities,” Agbede said.
Finidi, known for his extensive experience both as a player and a coach, is assumed to have sought legal advice regarding his resignation and new appointment. “But Finidi is a seasoned professional, who has signed contracts all around the world, both as a player and a coach. So, I’d assumed he got legal advice, whether signing the contract with the NFF, terminating it, or going into a contract with Rivers United,” Agbede remarked.
In recent developments, the NFF has reportedly interviewed several candidates for the head coach position. Among those interviewed are former England manager Steve McClaren and Tom Saintfiet, the current coach of the Gambia national team. Additionally, there have been discussions about Herve Renard, who is set to leave his role with the France women’s team. Renard, a highly regarded coach with a successful track record in African football, is seen as a potential ideal candidate. However, his high salary demands raise concerns about whether the NFF can afford him. “I’m not quite sure with Herve Renard. I’m not quite sure we have the finances to be able to sort him out,” noted Iniobong Monday, a podcaster with The Hindsight Podcast.
Monday continued, “We are hearing he’s asking for a real premium. And he deserves it, because he is a top manager. He has won the AFCON with two countries. Herve understands the territory and the demands.” Despite Renard’s impressive credentials, Monday expressed doubt about whether the NFF could meet his financial expectations. “I’m not sure we can beat down his price,” he added.
The NFF’s other options include Steve McClaren, but Monday raised concerns about his suitability for the African football landscape. “I don’t know where we go from here. But it would be a breath of fresh air if we can get Herve Renard in,” Monday said. He acknowledged Renard’s potential to elevate the team, given the quality of players available. “With the quality of players we have, you’d think that he can take the football to another level, in terms of building a real force of a national team,” he observed.
The urgency of appointing a new head coach before the Super Eagles’ next fixtures in September cannot be overstated. Monday emphasized, “I think having a manager in on time – whether temporary or permanent – is very important.” He stressed that a delayed appointment would limit the new coach’s time to adapt and integrate with the players, which could have negative repercussions on the team’s performance. “There is no time left. If you get a manager one month before the games, what time does he have in terms of adaptation to the players? It will affect us,” he concluded.
Finidi George’s resignation has left a void that the NFF must address urgently. The federation’s handling of the situation, including the lack of official confirmation and the potential legal issues, adds complexity to the matter. As the NFF explores new coaching options, the focus remains on finding a suitable candidate who can lead the Super Eagles effectively into their upcoming matches.
