Julius Okorie
German Coach, Bruno Labbadia, appointed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), as Super Eagles Coach, has rejected the offer before anyone could say Jack Robbinson.
Labbadia, who would have stepped in as the 37th coach of the national team, was expected to join the team as they prepare for double header AFCON qualifier against Republic of Benin and Rwanda on the 7th and 10th of September respectively.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe NFF said “Demand for payment of his taxes in #Nigeria and Germany to be covered by the NFF, forced the withdraw.”
Prior to the botched contract, suitability of Labbadia for the Super Eagles had taken the front burner with many insisting that he lacks the national team experience to lead the Eagles, who are currently walking on a tight rope, after poor run in earlier qualifiers in South Africa and Benin Republic.
Labbadia, who coached several clubs in Germany, including Stuttgart and Bayer Leverkusen, seldom stayed on the jobs for more than a season, with the only club he stayed three years being Darmstadt 98 between 2003 and 2006.
Before settling for Labbadia, the NFF had reportedly had talks with Swede Coach Janne Andersson and Frenchman, Herve Renard, all of which hit the rocks with a bang.
READ ALSO:NFF Shuns Local Coaches, Appoints Labbadia For Super Eagles
Renard had been tipped to land the job because of his knowledge of African football, having coached Morocco, Ivory Coast and Zambia among others.
Austin Eguavoen Steps In As Interim Coach
Meanwhile, the NFF has confirmed that Austin Eguavoen will be in charge of the two headed clashes against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
It will be Austin Eguavoen fourth return in charge of the Super Eagles, after the first 2005-2007 followed by 2010 and 2022. Eguavoen, popularly called Cerezo during his playing days, has been aptly described as been dubbed Mr. Caretaker in some quarters, stepping in to hold forth every now and then until a new coach is appointed.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
