Oliseh slams NFF recruitment style for Eagles job

Former Super Eagles of Nigeria captain Sunday Oliseh has ripped into the recruitment process of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), in their search for the country’s next men’s national team gaffer.

Oliseh who managed the Super Eagles between 2015-2016 believes the NFF shouldn’t have declared the role open to applications, citing Liverpool’s preparation for Jurgen Klopp’s exit as an example.

“Let’s look at it this way, when Jurgen Klopp came out last month to announce that he was leaving his position as coach of Liverpool, did you hear or read anywhere that the club announced that coaches should apply for the job?” the 49-year-old asked The Punch.

“The only thing they (Liverpool) are doing currently is that they are in search of a coach that fits their philosophy and style.

“If we (Nigeria) cannot offer our indigenous coaches opportunities to help the country’s football, then who else will?”

Oliseh further debunked rumours of him applying for the Eagles job, affirming that he only expressed his willingness to assist the national team under favourable conditions.

He said, “I did not apply for the Eagles job, reports that stated so are false.

“I only stated that if Nigeria needed my help as a coach I would be willing to help if the conditions are right. I’m open to helping Nigeria but I did not apply for the job.”

The 49-year-old concluded his chat with The Punch by voicing his support for his former teammates Emmanuel Amuneke and George Finidi to replace Jose Peseiro.

“Everyone knows I’m an advocate of an indigenous coach to lead the Eagles, those two (Amuneke and Finidi) are good for the job,” Oliseh said.

“Anybody who really understands football will know that the Eagles don’t need a foreign coach, but the indigenous coach must have a great personality.

“I’m against foreign coach for our national team. It was a local coach that won the AFCON for Ivory Coast and the previous one for Senegal.”