Newly appointed Super Eagles manager, Bruno Labbadia, has turned down the job less than two weeks before crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin and Rwanda, according to reports from German publication Kicker.
The Nigeria Football Federation had announced Labbadia’s appointment on Tuesday, positioning him as the successor to Finidi George, who resigned in May.
“Bruno Labbadia will be the 37th head coach of the Super Eagles. The NFF confirms an agreement with the German coach to lead the senior national team,” the NFF’s statement read.
But with only days left until he was expected to take charge, it appears the NFF may have jumped the gun.
Kicker reports that while the financial terms were largely settled, crucial organizational details remained unresolved, ultimately leading to Labbadia’s decision to reject the offer.
Sources close to the negotiations revealed that discussions between the former Stuttgart coach and the NFF began last weekend and initially showed promise.
However, despite the federation’s claims, Labbadia never gave a formal commitment or signed any contract.
The German tactician was reportedly drawn to the job’s sporting potential, but the unresolved issues proved to be a dealbreaker.
The NFF will now to find a new manager before the AFCON qualifiers kick off in September.
Prior to Labbadia’s announcement, there had been speculation that former coach Austin Eguavoen might take charge in a temporary capacity.
Another ex-Super Eagles coach and former international, Samson Siasia, who recently completed a five-year football ban, was also mentioned as a potential stopgap option.
Meanwhile, the NFF has called up 23 players for the upcoming qualifiers, with Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi, and stand-in captain William Troost-Ekong returning to the squad after long injury layoffs.
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