NFF speaks amidst Renard’s Eagles rumours

Ibrahim Gusau, President of the Nigeria Football Federation, has denied reports that Hervé Renard is being considered for the Super Eagles coaching role.

Since Finidi George’s resignation in June, the Super Eagles have been operating without a head coach.

The NFF’s announcement that they would hire a foreign technical adviser led to Finidi George’s resignation as head coach of the team.

The decision came after an outcry by the football-loving populace following the team’s poor performances, including a shock defeat to Benin Republic, in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers last month.

Renard is currently the head coach of France women’s national team but he recently made clear his intention to vacate the position after the Paris Olympic Games next month.

His decision to quit the French team sparked rumours linking him with the vacant Eagles job with many suggesting that the football body had contacted the two-time AFCON-winning coach for the job with only his salary the stumbling block.

Reacting to the rumours in a chat, Gusau said there were no such talks between the federation and the Frenchman.

“I am not aware of that for now,” he said.

On the claim that the NFF would have to break the bank to pay the French coach a hefty demand of $180,000 monthly salary, the NFF boss added, “Did you see it from any NFF communication channel? It is from some of those that are always trying to create confusion.”

Renard previously managed the Zambian national team, with whom he won the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations; he also won the competition in 2015 with the Ivory Coast, becoming the first coach to win two Africa Cup of Nations with different teams.

In addition, he coached Morocco at the 2018 World Cup.

It is reported that the experienced coach, aged 55, is also in talks with clubs in the United States and Saudi Arabia.

Hervé Renard is one of the potential candidates to succeed Gregg Berhalter as the USMNT coach, after Berhalter’s departure following a disappointing performance at the 2024 Copa America.

Punch