Tom Saintfiet Regrets Not Coaching Super Eagles

Tom Saintfiet Regrets Not Coaching Super Eagles

Sampson Adedeji

The head coach of the Gambia National Team Tom Saintfiet has expressed his disappointment in not getting the job of Nigeria's Super Eagles, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Nigeria Football Federation under the leadership of Amaju Pinnick 7 years ago interviewed Saintfeit alongside Paul Le Guen before settling for Gernot Rohr.

While speaking to the Punch correspondent Johnny Edward, the French gaffer highlighted his disappointment on losing the opportunity to lead the 3-time African champions.

" Yes, in 2012 first of all, the minister of sports decided he wanted a local coach when I was already announced as the new technical adviser chosen by the technical committee at that time, which had (Austin) Okocha, Garba Lawal, and Christopher Green. 

Again in 2016, I was close to the job, I was to get the job with the local coach Salisu Yusuf, but they chose Paul Le Guen for the job.

“He refused and it would have been normal that I would have been there with Yusuf. 

I considered myself as the second or third choice, but it was Amaju Pinnick who didn’t follow the Technical Committee decision and went for Gernot Rohr, who was not shortlisted; it was a big disappointment.

“Then I went to Bangladesh and got a lucrative offer for a short term, but the ambition was always there to coach Nigeria and guide them to a successful AFCON and also guide them to World Cup success", he said.