Renowned French football tactician, 
, has revealed that he was seriously considered for the head coach position of Nigeria’s Super Eagles but ultimately declined the offer.
, has revealed that he was seriously considered for the head coach position of Nigeria’s Super Eagles but ultimately declined the offer.In an interview with French outlet L’Équipe, Renard disclosed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) approached him following Finidi George’s sudden exit in May. Despite being offered the most lucrative deal of his career, Renard carefully weighed the pros and cons before deciding to turn down the opportunity.
“I almost went to Nigeria. I spent several days, even weeks, considering the offer, but ultimately, it didn’t align with my goals,” Renard stated. “It was the best offer I’ve received so far, but it didn’t suit me in the end.”
Meanwhile, interim coach Augustine Eguavoen has expressed his conditions for taking on the job full-time. Eguavoen, who has led the team through previous stints, emphasized the need for a long-term contract, patience, and consistent backing from the NFF.
“The Super Eagles job isn’t one you take lightly. If I were to take it permanently, I’d need to reflect deeply and consider the challenges ahead. It’s not a small task,” Eguavoen noted. “I’d require a long-term contract, patience, and specific clauses in the deal because building a successful team takes time.”
Eguavoen lamented that his previous stints as head coach were cut short, denying him the opportunity to fully implement his vision. “In 2006, I had just six months. Every other time, it was only two months or two to three games. Clemens Westerhof had five years, and Gernot Rohr had six years. They received the time and support I never had.”
To succeed as the substantive coach, Eguavoen reiterated the need for long-term assurances, contractual protections, and unwavering confidence from the NFF.
