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French coach Hervé Renard has disclosed that he nearly became the head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles following the exit of Finidi George in May. Renard, who previously managed Ivory Coast and Zambia, confirmed that he was approached by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and offered the most lucrative deal of his career.
Despite the enticing offer, Renard ultimately declined after careful consideration. Speaking to L’Équipe, Renard shared, “I almost went to Nigeria. I weighed the pros and cons for a few days, even weeks, before eventually turning it down. It was the best offer I’ve had so far, but it didn’t suit me in the end.”
Meanwhile, Augustine Eguavoen, the interim coach tasked with leading Nigeria through the 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Libya, has expressed interest in taking the role full-time. However, he outlined that he would need a long-term contract and consistent support from the NFF to accept the job on a permanent basis.
Eguavoen emphasized the challenges of managing the Super Eagles and the importance of having time to build a successful team. Reflecting on his previous three stints as head coach, he lamented not having enough time to fully implement his vision, noting that while other coaches were given years, he was often only given a few months or games to prove himself.
He reiterated that patience, long-term assurances, and a clear vision are essential for the Super Eagles to succeed under his leadership.