Surpise twist! Bruno Labbadia announces Nigeria as his next chapter
In a surprising twist, German tactician Bruno Labbadia has taken to social media to reveal his new role as the head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles. This announcement follows a period of uncertainty and bureaucratic challenges that nearly derailed the deal.
Labbadia was initially confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as the new Super Eagles coach after Finidi George resigned just two games into his tenure due to a poor start in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. However, complications soon emerged.
Shortly after the NFF’s announcement, reports surfaced indicating that Labbadia had rejected the position. The issue stemmed from German tax regulations, which complicated the agreement. The NFF faced difficulties covering the additional tax obligations, which were not initially part of the contract discussions.
In a recent update, Labbadia shared an Instagram post with the caption, “New chapter ,” hinting at his commitment to the role despite previous setbacks. The post has sparked speculation and excitement among fans and football insiders.
The NFF had previously stated, “We have been on the tax issue for the past three days, and I told him clearly that there was no way the NFF would agree to offset the concomitant tax percentage on his salary that would be demanded by German tax authorities. It is not possible for us to shoulder the responsibility of shelling out an additional 32% to 40% of his salary after paying the agreed monthly wage.”
NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau added, “The NFF and Mr. Labbadia reached an agreement in principle before we made the announcement. The tax details were never part of our discussions, and he had personally agreed to all terms before the tax issue arose. We were trying to be flexible, but he was adamant that the NFF had to pay the full tax amount. We simply cannot do that.”
If confirmed, Labbadia will replace NFF Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen, who has led the Super Eagles through recent AFCON qualifiers. The NFF has yet to make an official statement regarding Labbadia’s appointment.
