NFF: We never said Le Guen had Super Eagles’ job

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has opened the lid
on the purported appointment of Frenchman Paul Le Guen
as the technical adviser of the men’s senior national
team.
The media had been flooded on Monday, July 18, with
reports that the former Cameroon manager had been
unveiled as the new Super Eagles coach.
But on Tuesday morning, the former Paris St Germain
(PSG) manager reportedly denied being offered any
contract by the Nigerian federation.
Sources say he was not comfortable with some clauses in
the agreement he was meant to sign and he decided not
to accept the coaching job until things were properly
sorted out.
In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, the NFF
clarified the controversies surrounding the appointment of
Le Guen, saying all sub–committees in the federation can
only make recommendations to the Board.
The statement signed by the chairman of the NFF media
and publicity committee, Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande,
dismissed reports in local and international media of the
Frenchman’s rejection of the position as simply
preposterous.
“The press statement was clear, to the effect that all
appointments made at the Technical and Development
Committee meeting were mere recommendations, which
had to be deliberated upon and agreed to by the Board. No
sub –committee in the NFF, except the judicial bodies,
takes decisions. They only make recommendations.
“In truth, the technical and development committee perused
the profiles of all the coaches who submitted applications
and find Mr. Paul Le Guen suitable for the post. But during
final negotiations, he objected to being given a target and
also did not wish to live in Nigeria, which was a sore point
with the Board.”
Yahaya-Kwande added: “The job of head coach of Nigeria
is a very big one and there is no way anyone will get such a
job without being handed a target.
“There is absolutely no issue with Le Guen saying he is not
coming; several highly –qualified persons would be happy
to be named Manager of the Senior National Team of
Nigeria. We have a plan to take care of that eventuality.”
Nigerians have also taken to the social media to express
their displeasure with the football federation over the
recent discrepancies with the appointment of the coach.