“It’s not a small job” – Eguavoen fears Finidi’s fate as he considers permanent Super Eagles job offer
Super Eagles interim head coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has revealed he is open to taking the job permanently, but only if the Nigeria Football Federation provides clear guarantees, Soccernet.ng reports.
Eguavoen, who is also the NFF’s Technical Director, stepped in for the national team after the federation’s attempt to appoint Bruno Labbadia fell through.
Having led the Super Eagles to a convincing 3-0 win over Benin and a goalless draw in Rwanda during the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, Eguavoen’s recent success has led to calls for him to take the position permanently.
However, the 58-year-old remains wary, citing the unpredictable nature of the NFF, especially in light of the recent ugly experience of Finidi George.
Finidi, who was appointed head coach in May, was left jobless only weeks later after the NFF began searching for a foreign manager following the Super Eagles’ underwhelming results against South Africa and Benin.
Finidi had already resigned from his role at Enyimba to take the national team job but was quickly sidelined.
Knowing he would also need to relinquish his role as the Technical Director if he accepts the Super Eagles job permanently, Eguavoen is concerned about the NFF treatment.
However, he is cautious about making the switch to a full-time Super Eagles head coach without guarantees from the NFF.
“The Super Eagles job I’m doing right now, if I were to switch permanently, it’s something I’d need to sit down, reflect, and think deeply about because it’s not a small job,” he told Brila FM.
Eguavoen, who was a member of the 1994 AFCON-winning Super Eagles squad, stressed the need for a long-term contract with patience, highlighting that success isn’t guaranteed overnight.
“It will be a tough one,” he added. “You have to give me a long-term contract with patience and clauses in that contract because winning is not guaranteed every week or day.”
As the Super Eagles prepare for their crucial AFCON qualifiers against Libya, Eguavoen’s future with the team remains uncertain.
