‘Disappointed’ George Finidi reacts to Golden Eaglets coaching snub

The former Nigeria international had expressed interest in handling the country’s cadet team, but his name was conspicuously missing when the Nigeria Football Federation appointed new coaches for the youth teams last week

Former Super Eagles winger George Finidi is disappointed that the NFF overlooked him for the Golden Eaglets coaching job, but the one-time Ajax ace wishes the hired hands the best of luck in their new roles.

Finidi, one of Nigeria’s most successful footballers ever, was a member of the Super Eagles squad that won Tunisia ’94 AFCON title, and later qualified Nigeria for the first-ever World Cup at USA ’94, where the team narrowly missed a quarterfinal ticket to Italy.

A three-time Eredivisie and a one-time UEFA Champions League winner, Finidi stared for Sharks of Port Harcourt, Ajax, Real Betis, Real Mallorca, and Ipswich Town before he retired in 2004.

Finidi after that took an interest in coaching and served as an intern coach at Dutch side, FC Zwolle, on the way to earning a coaching badge.

The former midfielder was later appointed as the youth team coach of Spanish La Liga side, Mallorca, after which he applied for a role as one of the National Team coaches.

However, the NFF snubbed Finidi and named Fatai Amoo as the Golden Eaglets coach and Ladan Bosso as the Flying Eagles coach.

Speaking on Tuesday on ‘No Holds Barred’ a radio programme on Brila FM (as per Complete Sports) anchored by former Super Eagles defender Ifeanyi Udeze, Finidi reacted to the development:

“I’m disappointed, at the same time, no hard feelings. I have to wish them well because whatever they are going to do is for Nigeria.

“No matter who they have appointed, it is for the good of the country.

“Personally, I will wish them well; it’s not up to me to put myself there. If you apply for a job, you still have people that will take decisions.

“They have appointed the coaches they feel are good enough, so no hard feelings.”

Finidi played in 62 games for the Nigerian senior national team, scoring six goals.

The 49-year-old is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest stars to ever feature in the Eredivisie and La Liga.