Why Le Guen turned down Super Eagles job – NFF

Date Posted: 19/07/2016

Paul Le Guen

The Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday clarified the situation with regards to the recommendation of its Technical and Development Committee that Frenchman Paul Le Guen be named the new Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles.
The Executive Committee said all sub-committees of the Federation can only make recommendations to the Board.
It also clarified why the Frenchman turned down the offer to train the Super Eagles.
The Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, dismissed reports in local and international media of the Frenchman’s rejection of the position as simply preposterous.
Yahaaya-Kwande said: “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.
“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.”