Former Nigeria international Mutiu Adepoju has warned the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) against forcing assistants on newly appointed coach of Nigeria Finidi George.
The Nigeria Football Federation announced the appointment of Finidi George, a former player of Ajax as the new head coach of the Super Eagles last week, but there were some significant irregularities with the announcement, as the details of the deal were kept under wraps.
The NFF did not reveal the duration of the deal, nor did they reveal Finidi’s assistants. However, reports emanating from the West African nation indicate that the domestic football governing body is bent on imposing coaches on Finidi as his assistants.
Teeming local football enthusiasts have cautioned the NFF, insisting that they should be transparent as to the details of the contract that has to be sorted so the team can focus - with the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic which has been slated for June is fast approaching.
Meanwhile, Mutiu Adepoju, a former Real Madrid Castilla attacking midfielder, thinks Finidi should be allowed to bring in his own assistants.
"A coach is the one that knows who he wants to work with, who he is confident in. With the help of the NFF, they will be able to choose the suitable backroom staff for him. I believe he has to have a say in choosing his backroom staff, not just imposing coaches or anybody on him,” Adepoju told News Central.
“He should have a way of bringing in people that he is going to have confidence in. Coaches that will enhance his job and make things work. I think he should have a say in picking the backroom staff that he wants to work with.”
Kickgh.com understands that if Finidi is allowed to bring in his own assistants, there is a possibility that some of them could be foreign, and that would cost the Nigeria Football Federation more.
By: Pascal Amoah
