Sports

Confidant Reveals Why Finidi George Resigned as Super Eagles Coach

Published by Tope Fakinlede on June 16th, 2024.

Confidant Reveals Why Finidi George Resigned as Super Eagles Coach

A close confidant of Finidi George has provided insight into why the former Nigerian international resigned from his position as the Super Eagles’ Head Coach after just two months.

According to the confidant, a lack of support from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and mounting family pressure were likely factors in his decision. News of Finidi’s resignation broke on Saturday afternoon, with reports indicating that he sent a brief resignation message to NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau.

Former Super Eagles media officer, Toyin Ibitoye, confirmed the news via his X (formerly Twitter) account, writing: “News just in: Finidi George @FinidiGeorge_FG has resigned from his @NGSuperEagles manager position.”

Finidi’s resignation is believed to have followed the NFF’s announcement of plans to bring in a foreign technical adviser. Although the top NFF officials were not available to verify Finidi’s resignation, a close ally disclosed to The Nation that the decision was influenced by both the NFF’s lack of support and family pressures.

“It is true that Finidi has resigned. We discussed it yesterday because he felt betrayed by the NFF after the matches against South Africa and Benin,” the source, who wished to remain anonymous, told NationSports. “Finidi was unhappy that the NFF did not defend him during a meeting with the Minister for Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, despite knowing about the poor attitude of some players.”

The confidant also mentioned that Finidi’s family, particularly his mother, could no longer endure the public scrutiny and criticism surrounding his role with the Super Eagles. “These issues, combined with the NFF’s behavior, led to his resignation. It’s unfortunate because he was committed to working hard for the Super Eagles,” he added.

Finidi, a 1994 AFCON winner with the Super Eagles, assisted Coach Jose Peseiro in securing a silver medal at AFCON 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire. He was initially named interim coach after Peseiro’s departure in February and was formally appointed as the team’s head coach on April 29.

During his brief tenure, Finidi managed the team in two friendly matches against Ghana and Mali in March, as well as overseeing a 1-1 draw with South Africa and a 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic in the 2026 World

Cup qualifiers.