The recently concluded search for a new coach of the senior national team of Nigeria ended with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) settling for German coach Bruno Labbadia, which later took an unexpected turn.
Labbadia was officially announced as the new coach by the NFF whilst discussion was still ongoing on some administrative issues. Talks later broke down and the 58 year old turned his back on the job owing to a dispute over payment of his taxes according to the NFF.
It means the technical director of the football house Austine Eguavoen taking over the role in interim capacity for the games against Benin Republic and Rwanda on the 7th and 10th of September respectively in the AFCON qualifiers.
One of the coaches who applied for the job Roberto Landi has taken a swipe at the NFF in an interview made available to our editorial team. The Italian voiced his unhappiness over the manner he was treated by the NFF.
“I don’t know, but that is crazy”, Landi said. “If that’s the case, it’s crazy. No one wants to be treated that way or disrespected, and you see why one would walk out. I say it, because no one want to be treated in that way”, he said to SportsBoom.com on news that Labbadia walking out on the job happened after first choice Janne Andersson also turned down the offer.
“[Like in my case] I spoke with my agent, and he’s assured that all is well, while looking at some possible offers on the table. I wondered on the silence since my resume got turned in and no one from the federation has reached out.
“All contractual agreements need to be covered before anything becomes official, and a big body like the NFF knows this. I do not know any other details of this story aside what we read from the media, but I believe they know what to do”, he enthused.
He rounded up by saying he will be willing to try again when the opportunity is made available by the NFF since Eguavoen is occupying the role in an interim capacity” “Maybe you want to know what their [NFF] preferences might be. We’re waiting, but everyone knows how big a job the Super Eagles role is,” the Italian tactician said.
“Yes, certainly the lure is still there. Mr Austin [Eguavoen] takes charge of the team’s games for next month, I suppose? I wish him and the team the best of luck in that. Ciao”.
Ade Emmanuel
