Finidi, Amuneke or Amokachi: who has the credentials to coach the Super Eagles?

According to recent media reports, Finidi George has signalled his interest to deploy his coaching qualifications and experience gain thus far outside Nigeria to the service of his fatherland when the need arises.

That, to me, is welcome development. Nowhere in any media report I read does it suggest that he is begging for the job right now. Coach Gernot Rohr is expected to agree to the terms of a new 2 year contract with the Nigeria Football Federation.

If Finidi continues to hone his coaching skills as he is currently doing, then these should stand him in good stead to be considered for the role whenever the vacancy arises.

The 49 year old still has some way to go and he is relatively young coaching-wise. Since he ventured into the world of coaching, I have never read any unpleasant stories about his interactions with his club managers, colleagues, players, media or other wider stakeholders.

This speaks to his mild manner, good nature, people management and interpersonal skills.

As a player, he was mild mannered for most parts. But his involvement in the upheaval that contributed in derailing the Super Eagles efforts in the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations in Mali is more of an exception than the norm (unless there were other incidents that flew under my radar).

Finidi, who handles youth players, had been an assistant coach in Mallorca FC in Spain. He also served as the director of international football at La Liga club Real Betis.

My only suggestion to Finidi is to agree to less media interviews as possible. He should let his coaching exploits speak for itself. The empty barrel they say makes the loudest noise.

Amuneke seldom gives media interviews where he touts his coaching credentials – these speak for themselves after his has signed for a big team or after qualifying a team for a major tournament.

This I think is more respectable approach.

Amuneke, who has a UEFA Pro License (highest coaching license in the world), was Assistant Coach in a professional club in Saudi Arabian league (as far back as 2008). He has coached 2 clubs in Nigeria (First Bank FC and Julius Berger) and has a soccer academy in Lagos that is doing well.

The 1994 world cup double goals scorer has coached professional clubs in Sudan and Egypt, he was assistant Under-17 coach, later became head coach of Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets. He has coached another national team - Tanzania.

Amokachi, on his part, has served as part of coaching crews for the Super Eagles over they years during the reigns of Late Stephen Keshi and Amodu Shuibu. He has also coached in Finland.

The coming years are set to witness Ex-Super Eagles Internationals serve as Head Coach of the Super Eagles after the tenure of German Gernot Rohr.