Good News For Nigerians Following Gernot Rohr’s Latest Comments

The German tactician has been embroiled in a contract tussle with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), but it now appears to be over

Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr has revealed that he has no problem with the conditions laid out by the NFF for a contract renewal.

The former Bordeaux manager is into the final two months of his current deal but has always expressed his interest to extend it.

The NFF are also willing to offer Rohr a new deal but revealed he would have to accept the new terms. The terms include living in Nigeria, earning in Naira and nurturing local league players.

There were initial fears that Rohr would not accept to earn in Naira as he would have to take a pay cut.

But the former Burkina Faso manager says he has no problem with the new terms, and he has agreed to NFF’s proposal.

“I never talk about my contract in public, as you know,” Rohr told ESPN.

“But I heard like everybody what was said by President [Amaju] Pinnick, that I have to accept to be paid in Naira, and I have to be resident in Nigeria. I agree to these two things, and even I agree to have a lower salary.

“I am not doing my job for money. I am doing my job because I like it. Because we have built a team like you know, and money is not the most important. But I also have to look after my assistants.

“I accept because I think that my mission in Nigeria is not finished yet, and I know very well my players. I know very well the officials. We are now just like a family, and I think it is good to continue especially in this period now where it is difficult to change, to travel, to see new people.”

However, while he has no problem with NFF’s offer, Rohr revealed he made some demands of his own in the documents he sent to the NFF, and that includes working freely.

“I want to work free in all my responsibilities,” he told ESPN.

“Independence as coach who is responsible for results. It is always good to be sure you can do a work with confidence and be free in the choice of good players.

“We have a good relationship with Pinnick, with [ NFF vice-president] Seyi [Akinwunmi] and with [League Management Company chairman] Shehu [Dikko] so I think we can find an agreement. There is no big problem to change.

“All I can say is that we are discussing in a good spirit with NFF. They sent me the proposal, I sent my answer. There are some little things to discuss about, and then we will see. Everything can be discussed. They have my answer, and now I will wait for the proposal coming back.”