Finidi George has opened up on why he joined Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Rivers United.

The 53-year-old was unveiled as the new head coach of Rivers United at a ceremony held at the club's secretariat in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, July 3.

This appointment marks a swift return to the NPFL dugout for the former Ajax winger, who recently stepped down as head coach of the national team.

Speaking after his unveiling, the former Enyimba gaffer noted that the club's results last season informed his decision to return to where he started his football career to help out.

“First, I have to say I am very happy to be here. This is where I grew up; I started my football career in Sharks back then. I left this place as a footballer and I’m back as a coach, the former Real Betis winger said as quoted by Naija News.

"As a coach, there are chapters you have to close and new ones have to emerge. Rivers United is a very big team seeing the results in the last season inspired me to come back and see how I can impact a little bit.

"I’ve been working in Abia State for some time, and I think this is an opportunity for me to give back. I decided to take this challenge to come back to Rivers State. I’m not here for fun. The target for a big team like Rivers is all about winning. We all want results, but we have to work towards it. The target is to at least get the continental ticket next season and we will try our best to do that”

BACKGROUD

Finidi was appointed interim Super Eagles coach in March to lead the Nigeria in friendlies against Ghana and Mali following José Peseiro's departure after the 2023 AFCON.

He was later confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as the substantive head coach in late April, having served as Peseiro's assistant for 20 months.

However, Finidi stepped down from his role after just two games in charge, following Nigeria's poor performance in the World Cup qualifier matches against South Africa and Benin Republic.

The Super Eagles drew 1-1 against Bafana Bafana in Uyo and lost 2-1 to Benin in Abidjan, leaving Nigerians staring in the face of another possible failed World Cup campaign with just three points in four games.

After Finidi's disappointing start, the NFF decided to hire a foreign technical adviser, which led to his resignation as head coach.

Now, Finidi George will replace long-serving coach Stanley Eguma who was dismissed by the club last season.

Finidi previously won the NPFL with Enyimba FC in the 2022/2023 season.