The Nigeria Football Federation is expected to announce the name of the new Super Eagles head coach in the coming hours, ending the weeks-long search for a successor to Jose Peseiro, Soccernet.ng reports.
The NFF has taken its time to decide whether to continue with the tradition of hiring a foreign coach or appoint an indigenous handler for the Super Eagles.
The NFF’s technical committee favoured the appointment of a European coach, with three shortlisted names – reported to include former Man City assistant manager Domenec Torrent and current Fortuna Sittard boss Danny Buijs – presented to the NFF.
However, the decision to get a former international to lead the Super Eagles may have finally been reached after the Sports Ministry clarified that the government will not be involved in the salary payment arrangement for any foreign coach.
This development may have catapulted former Barcelona winger Emmanuel Amunike and ex-Ajax Amsterdam ace George Finidi to become the frontrunner for the race.
Earlier reports suggest that Amunike is the preferred choice, and his appointment could be made official within 48 hours.
The NFF, however, has the contract ready for whoever emerges as the new head coach of the national team, according to Owngoal Nigeria.
The reports claimed the new Super Eagles coach would be handed a two-year contract with a salary of less than 50,000 dollars.
The coach will be tasked with guiding the three-time African champions to qualify for the 2025 AFCON and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria reached the finals of AFCON 2013, and the coach will have a clause in his contract to get the Super Eagles to at least the seminal of the next edition of the continental championships.
Former Ajax and Juventus midfielder Sunday Oliseh is the last former international to coach the Super Eagles on a permanent basis.
However, he lasted less than a year in the role before resigning following disagreements with the then-NFF board led by Amaju Pinnick.