Saintfiet dumps Nigeria, resumes with Bangladesh

Belgian Coach, Tom Saintfiet, has ruled himself out of the Super Eagles job chase as the gaffer has been appointed the Bangladesh manager.

Saintfiet was last week shortlisted by the Nigeria Football Federation alongside Frenchman Paul Le Guen and national team interim coach, Salisu Yusuf, for Eagles job.

Though the official signing between Saintfiet and the Bangladesh Football Federation has not been made yet, but both the parties are hoping to complete the formalities in “three-four days’ time”.

“He just arrived. He was on the plane when we sent him the contract papers. He forwarded it to his lawyer. Hopefully we can close this chapter (official signing) in three-four days,” the National Team Management Committee Chairman, Kazi Nabil Ahmed, told Dhaka Tribune.

When queried to clarify the current situation with the Nigeria Football Association, the Belgian coach said: “I saw exactly what you saw. As a coach, I was without a job for the last two months. I sent my CV to different federations all over the world and Nigeria were one of them. On Friday, I saw I was in the shortlist but I don’t have proper information about it (regarding interview with NFA).

“The first focus is on two (AFC Asian Cup qualifying playoff) matches against Bhutan in September and October. When the matches are finished, hopefully with the qualification, we will work together in future. First focus is on three months and to try to get good results.”