Finidi's Request For Foreign Assistants Gets Pinnick Support

Finidi's Request For Foreign Assistants Gets Pinnick Support

By Admin

Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and member FIFA Executive council, Amaju Pinnick, has called on the Glasshouse to give the newly appointed coach of the Super Eagles, Finidi George, its full support with his desire to having foreign personnels as back-room staff.

After weeks of speculations, George, was announced as the Super Eagles’ handler, succeeding his former boss, Jose Peseiro, who left the position after 20 months.

However, the intrigue of composition of assistant coaches has been another debate for now with the former Super Eagles winger opting for foreign staff ahead of fellow contestants for the plum job in Daniel Amokachi and Emmanuel Amuneke for the role.

Speaking to Arise TV on Thursday, Pinnick noted that the former Ajax star should be allowed to pick his preferred choice of coach to assist him, citing instances of those who have done so before him.

“For his assistants, it is very tricky. It is normal for him to demand foreign assistants if he so desires.

“Bonfrere Jo was a foreign assistant to Westerhof and later took over the job. Oliseh had a foreign assistant, Siasia had a foreign assistant. It is not new and it is not bad for him to demand the same,” Pinnick pointed out.”

 Samson Siasia was cited as a Nigerian who opted for a foreign assistance while in charge of Nigerian teams – the Flying Eagles and later the Super Eagles.

 He had Simon Kalika, a Dutchman as his assistant. Earlier, there have been reports that the NFF could not afford a foreign-based coach as the first team head coach but could afford a foreign-based assistant coach, which they opted for with a local head coach.

Meanwhile, in appointing a foreign coach as Finidi’s assistant, Pinnick is of the opinion that it is within the capability of the NFF.

“If there are not enough funds to achieve that, it can always be discussed with Finidi.

“Backroom staffing is more scientific right now. If he says he needs three backroom assistants, perhaps one for goalkeeper training, the others are for other positions.

“The assistant coaches are the engine room of the success of any coach because they see what the coach can’t see.

“But then, it depends on funding from the federation, but I think it is not out of place. Finidi should be allowed to do what he wants to do. But if there is a paucity of funds, they can discuss it with him,” he added.

Reports shows that NFF has recently approached US-based Nigerian coach Michael Nsien to be an assistant to George in the management of the Super Eagles team.

However, he has reportedly rejected the offer from the NFF which is based on being paid per game. He wants the Nigerian football body to match his US-based salary before he can agree to the terms.

Credit: Sportsvillagesquare