Super Eagles: NFF remains mute on Finidi exit amid Herve Renard chase

It has been well over one month since Finidi George resigned as the head coach of the Super Eagles.

Finidi stepped aside after the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, decided to hire an expatriate technical adviser for the team.

Ex-Eagles media officer, Colin Udoh, who spoke with the 53-year-old after his decision, reported that “it was when Findi landed in Port Harcourt after that meeting that someone called him and informed him.

“He (Finidi) had to park his car and read the link to see that it actually was true.

“So he waited for two days to see if anyone would contact him, but nobody spoke to him. So he (Finidi) felt they didn’t want him anymore and so he decided to turn in his resignation.”

But strangely, the NFF is yet to officially confirm Finidi’s departure – even though he has since been unveiled as the new head coach of Rivers United.

“Honestly, I don’t know why they haven’t formally confirmed his resignation,” Wale Agbede, the Head of Sports at Plus TV, tells DAILY POST.

“But he did resign. I can confirm that from a direct source in the NFF, who was shocked when I told him Finidi had resigned.

“He went ahead to call Finidi, who himself confirmed it.

“We don’t know the exact details of whether it was accepted or not. We also don’t know the details of his contract as it concerns termination.

“Also my source in the NFF said the leadership told everyone in the federation not to confirm the resignation story. I don’t know what reasons they have for not acknowledging the fact he has resigned.

“Most of the things Finidi knew about his position, he read about in the press.”

There has been talk that the NFF wants to sue Finidi for stepping down.

Agbede adds: “The legal grounds for suing Finidi as regards taking the Rivers United job will remain unclear until we understand the terms of the contract he signed as the head coach of the Super Eagles.

“It is one or the other. If they have accepted his resignation privately, but have not acknowledged it publicly, we can then ask questions as to if there was a clause saying Finidi could not take a job a few weeks or few years after leaving.

“This could be based on a compensation package he collected or will collect. Or has he even forfeited it?

“There are many legal possibilities.

“But there is a scenario where Finidi can be sued by the NFF, depending on what the situation of the legal connotation is. It all boils down to the contract, which was not made public.

“His lawyers and the NFF’s lawyers would be the ones who would have the best clarity.

“But Finidi is a seasoned professional, who has signed contracts all around the world, both as a player and a coach. So, I’d assumed he got legal advice, whether signing the contract with the NFF, terminating it or going into a contract with Rivers United.”

However, it emerged this week that the NFF has reportedly interviewed ex-England boss, Steve McClaren and Gambia national team coach, Tom Saintfiet.

The federation has also been linked with popular choice, Herve Renard, who is set to leave his role in charge of the France women’s team.

Renard, who might be the ideal candidate, however, looks like a long stretch.

“I’m not quite sure with Herve Renard. I’m not quite sure we have the finances to be able to sort him out,” Iniobong Monday, a podcaster with The Hindsight Podcast, tells DAILY POST.

“We are hearing he’s asking for a real premium. And he deserves it, because he is a top manager. He has won the AFCON with two countries. Herve understands the territory and the demands.

“I’m not sure we can beat down his price.

“I don’t know where we go from here. But it would be a breath of fresh air if we can get Herve Renard in.

“With the quality of players we have, you’d think that he can take the football to another level, in terms of building a real force of a national team.

“He’s got the experience and the personality to build a solid team with the Super Eagles players we have.

“We have Jose Peseiro and there was talk of him being owed for up to 11 months.

“I’m not sure about Steve McClaren. Is he the kind of guy we want for the Super Eagles? But I am not sure he has what it takes to work on the African continent.

“When a manager wants to make the leap from European to African football, I always have my doubts.

“But I would rather we go for Herve Renard.”

Ideally, the NFF should install a new head coach before the Eagles’ next fixtures in September.

Monday adds: “I think having a manager in on time – whether temporary or permanent – is very important.

“There is no time left. If you get a manager one month before the games, what time does he have in terms of adaptation to the players?

“It will affect us.”