Why NFF didn’t appoint me as Super Eagles manager — Emmanuel Amunike

Emmanuel Amunike, the frontrunner for the Super Eagles managerial position has attributed his rejection to the proliferation of misleading reports in the media.

Amunike was the leading local coach touted to succeed Jose Peseiro, but the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) eventually appointed his former teammate—Finidi George—as the country’s senior men’s team head coach on Monday.

The NFF in its statement said George’s appointment was based on the recommendations of the Technical and Development Committee of the FA body.

Amunike, however, believes he didn’t make the cut because the media smeared his name with rumours of unethical conduct and poor relationship with NFF officials during his time as the manager of the Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles.

The 1994 Africa Footballer of the Year said there’s an ongoing “bad blood” with some officials (he didn’t specify), but he also conceded that being the Eagles manager isn’t a do-or-die affair.

“They succeeded in smearing my name in the media because of the Eagles job,” Amunike said, as per the Punch.

“They can continue with their propaganda, but I will remain disciplined. It’s not a do-or-die job.

“All those allegations made in the media online because of the Eagles job are obviously not true, but those who recommended candidates for the job know I will not be easily bullied. I know there is still bad blood with these officials, but it’s fine.”

The NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau while speaking on the coach George’s appointment said it wasn’t the easiest of the decisions.

“It wasn’t an easy decision. We’ve to begin to trust our own,” the NFF boss said.

“We will give Finidi all the respect and support he needs.”