The Nigeria Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has expressed his desire that a world-class manager handles the country’s national football team.
While not ruling out the possibility of Gernot Rohr continuing in his role as the Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, the Minister made clear his preference for a top-level tactician for the team.
This development comes even as the German gaffer is in the middle of negotiating a new contract with the Nigeria Football Federation.
Hired in August 2016, Rohr had his two-year contract renewed ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia with his current deal expiring in less than two months.
Rohr has expressed his willingness to keep managing the three-time African champions, despite allegedly receiving offers from other countries.
The NFF has reportedly introduced stringent clauses in the German coach’s new contract, fueling rumours that the football body was looking to displace him.
Mr Dare has, however, revealed that his concern is not whether Rohr stays or not but that a competent manager is in charge of the Super Eagles.
“All I want is a coach that is competent; I don’t care whether it is Rohr or not. The name doesn’t matter, but does he have the credentials?” Dare said in a video made available to media.
“Look at our footballers, they play in some of the best clubs in the world and are coached by some of the best coaches.
“So if you want to coach a Nigerian team, you better be sound because the invited players that are going to represent the country train under the best coaches, therefore, we don’t want a player that is sounder than the coach.”
