Anita Ogona
A close confidant to coach Finidi George has given an insight on why the former Nigeria International resigned from his appointment as the Super Eagles Head Coach barely two months on the job.
According to a press statement from the super Eagle Media Officer Toyin Ibitoye in a post on Saturday. Said the Former Ajax winger, Finidi George, has stepped down as coach of the Super Eagles.
He wrote, “News just in. Finidi George #FinidiGeorge_FG has resigned from his #NGSuperEagles manager position.”
The resignation follows the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) decision to appoint a foreign coach to oversee him, despite his recent appointment in May.
George, 53, took the reins after Jose Peseiro’s contract ended in February, having served as his assistant for 20 months. However, the team’s disappointing performance in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin led to his demotion.
As a result, George’s one-year contract will be downgraded, and his reported monthly salary of 15 million Naira will be reduced to 5 million Naira. His handpicked assistants will also be replaced by the new foreign coach’s staff.
In a meeting with Sports Minister John Enoh, George expressed his frustration with the lack of support from the NFF and questioned the commitment of Nigeria’s top players in the crucial World Cup qualifiers.
However Finidi George confidant said the seeming lack of support from his employers, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as well as mounting family pressure might have forced him out.one of his close allies told The Nation that his decision to walk away might not be unconnected with the seemingly lack of support from NFF as well as pressure from close family members.
“ It is true that Finidi has resigned and we spoke about this all through yesterday because he felt betrayed by the attitude of the NFF after the two matches against South Africa and Benin,” the source who pleaded anonymity
“ Finidi was not just happy that the NFF failed to jump at his defense during the meeting held with Minister for Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, on Wednesday even when they knew the poor attitude of some of the players.
“Aside all the shenanigans by the NFF, his family especially his mum can no longer bear the whole noise around his son over the Super Eagles job as if he had ‘killed’ somebody.
“ These are some of the reasons I think made him to quit the job. This is very unfortunate because he was really ready to bend his back to work for the Super Eagles,” he further said.
He was first named as the interim coach of the Super Eagles after the Portuguese left in February and was formally appointed the team’s substantive coach only on April 29.Aside from the two friendly matches against Ghana and Mali in March in an interim capacity, the former Real Betis Youth Team Coach oversaw a 1-1 draw with South Africa and a 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic, both in the 2026 World Cup qualifying series.
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