Renowned French football coach Hervé Renard has revealed the reasons behind his decision to turn down an offer to coach Nigeria’s Super Eagles. Despite receiving what he described as the best offer of his career from the Nigerian Football Federation NFF, Renard ultimately felt that the role was not the right fit for him at this stage of his career.
Renard, who has won the Africa Cup of Nations twice, admitted that he spent several weeks carefully considering the offer, weighing the pros and cons before making his final decision. He said, I almost went to Nigeria. I weighed the pros and cons for several days, even weeks, before deciding to turn it down. It was the best offer I had received, but ultimately, it wasn’t the right fit for me.
Following Renard’s decision, the NFF turned to Austine Eguavoen, who will continue coaching the Super Eagles as the interim manager for the rest of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.
Editorial
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Hervé Renard’s decision to decline the Super Eagles coaching role despite receiving the best offer of his career is a significant moment for Nigerian football. While it is disappointing that such a high profile coach has opted out, Renard’s careful consideration of the position speaks volumes about the importance of finding the right fit both professionally and personally.
For the NFF, this is a moment to reflect on what the national team needs in a coach moving forward. Austine Eguavoen, now continuing in his interim role, has the chance to prove that he is the right man for the job, particularly as the team heads into the crucial stages of AFCON qualification.
As Nigerian football fans, we must continue to support the team, understanding that every setback is an opportunity for growth. Renard’s decision does not diminish the potential of the Super Eagles, and with the right guidance, the team can still achieve success on the international stage.
Did You Know?
- Hervé Renard is the only coach to have won the Africa Cup of Nations with two different countries, having led Zambia in 2012 and Ivory Coast in 2015.
- Renard was reportedly close to taking the Nigerian job but ultimately felt it wasn’t the right fit for him at this stage of his career.
- Austine Eguavoen, who will continue as the Super Eagles interim coach, previously led the team during the AFCON 2022 tournament.
- The Super Eagles are preparing for the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, where they will face several tough opponents as they aim to secure their place in the tournament.
- Renard has also managed national teams like Morocco and Saudi Arabia, making him one of the most experienced coaches in international football.