‘ Finidi George should be allowed to do what he wants as Super Eagles coach ‘ – Amaju Pinnick
Former president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick has urged the NFF to allow new Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George to do what he wants especially as per choice of his assistants.
Pinnick disclosed that the Nigerian football body possesses the financial capability to support Finidi George’s choice for foreign assistants.
George has been confirmed as the next manager to lead the Nigerian national team, succeeding his former boss, Jose Peseiro, who vacated the position after 20 months.
However, there have been circulating reports in the Nigerian media suggesting that Finidi would prefer a foreign coach as his assistant, bypassing Daniel Amokachi and Emmanuel Amunike for the role.
In an interview with Arise TV, Pinnick asserted that the former Ajax star should have the liberty to select his preferred assistant coach, drawing parallels to past instances where coaches have made similar choices.
“For his assistants, it is very tricky. It is normal for him to demand foreign assistants if he so desires. Bonfrere Jo was a foreign assistant to Westerhof and later took over the job. Oliseh had a foreign assistant, Siasia had a foreign assistant. It is not new and it is not bad for him to demand the same,” Pinnick remarked.
Earlier reports had indicated that the NFF could not afford to hire a foreign-based coach as the head coach of the first team but could manage to appoint a foreign-based assistant coach alongside a local head coach.
Pinnick expressed confidence in the capability of the Nigerian football body to appoint a foreign coach as Finidi’s assistant, asserting that funding could be discussed with Finidi if necessary.
“Backroom staffing is more scientific right now. If he says he needs three backroom assistants, perhaps one for goalkeeper training, the others are for other positions. The assistant coaches are the engine room of the success of any coach because they see what the coach can’t see. But then, it depends on funding from the federation, but I think it is not out of place. Finidi should be allowed to do what he wants to do. But if there is a paucity of funds, they can discuss it with him,” he added.
Reports have indicated that the NFF recently approached US-based Nigerian coach Michael Nsien to serve as an assistant to George in managing the Super Eagles team.
However, Nsien reportedly declined the offer, seeking a salary matching his US-based income before agreeing to the terms offered by the Nigerian football body.
