Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh has faulted how the Nigeria Football Federation is searching for a new coach for the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Super Eagles head coach role became vacant following the departure of Portuguese tactician Jose Peseiro after the conclusion of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
Shortly after, the NFF invited interested candidates to apply for the Super Eagles coaching role.
However, Oliseh is convinced the NFF could have handled the job search differently.
Oliseh cited the example of English Premier League giants Liverpool FC, who have been discreet in their quest for a replacement for Jürgen Klopp when he leaves at the end of the season.
“Let’s look at it this way: when Jurgen Klopp came out last month to announce that he was leaving his position as coach of Liverpool, did you hear or read anywhere that the club announced that coaches should apply for the job?” Oliseh told The Punch.
“The only thing they (Liverpool) are doing currently is that they are in search of a coach that fits their philosophy and style.”
Despite Oliseh’s reservations, more than 50 indigenous and foreign coaches reportedly applied for the Super Eagles job.
Contrary to widespread claims, however, the former Super Eagles captain reveals that he did not apply for the national team coaching position.
Oliseh stated that the NFF should stop hiring foreign coaches to handle the Super Eagles, insisting that Nigeria now boast qualified tacticians capable of handling the three-time African champions.
The former Ajax Amsterdam midfielder maintains that Enyimba coach Finidi George or ex-Barcelona man Emmanuel Amunike is competent to lead the Super Eagles.
“If we (Nigeria) cannot offer our indigenous coaches opportunities to help the country’s football, then who else will?
“I did not apply for the Eagles job. Reports that stated so are false.
“I only stated that if Nigeria needed my help as a coach, I would be willing to help if the conditions are right. I’m open to helping Nigeria, but I did not apply for the job.
“Everyone knows I’m an advocate of an indigenous coach to lead the Eagles; those two (Amuneke and Finidi) are good for the job.
“Anybody who really understands football will know that the Eagles don’t need a foreign coach, but the indigenous coach must have a great personality.
“I’m against the foreign coach for our national team. It was a local coach that won the AFCON for Ivory Coast and the previous one for Senegal.”
Former Super Eagles captain and coach, the late Stephen Keshi, led Nigeria to the country’s last triumph at the AFCON in 2013.
N.B: What are your thoughts on the Nigeria Football Federation’s decision to publicly declare the Super Eagles coaching role vacant? Share your comments below.
This post was last modified on March 29, 2024 3:17 pm
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Yes, some of us saw it from afar. How can you replace an outstanding, uninjured and contributing player in a big tournament? Not only was Lookman nominated for African X1, DSTV saw him as a star.
Nigerian coaches: selections based on tribe and corruption. Sometimes they choose those who play football in Malaysia and Vietnam over players in the UK. They also do select players who do not play up to five matches in a season over those in the premiership or championship. Look at what's happening to Demola Lookman! He will never be selected to play if Finidi becomes the coach.
You are right, though, we need indiginous coach but shouldn't be person like Finidi infact with what he does in these friendly, he did not deserve to be coach of the national team. To me either Olishe or Amunike and any of NPFL coaches can take it and give him atleast 6-8 years.