French coach Hervé Renard has disclosed the reasons behind his decision to reject an offer to become the head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles. Renard, who has previously managed African teams like Ivory Coast and Zambia, revealed that he was approached by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after Finidi George’s surprise exit from the role in May.
Renard was heavily considered as the next head coach after talks with German tactician Bruno Labbadia failed. However, despite the offer being the most financially attractive he had received, Renard ultimately declined the opportunity.
“I almost went to Nigeria,” Renard told French outlet L’Équipe, as reported by Brila FM. “I weighed the pros and cons for a few days, even weeks, before eventually turning it down. It was the best offer I’ve had so far, but it didn’t suit me in the end.”
While the NFF continues its search for a long-term coach, interim coach Augustine Eguavoen is currently leading the team through the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Libya. Eguavoen, speaking about his future, has indicated that a full-time role would require more than just a temporary stint, calling for a long-term contract and patience from the NFF.
“The Super Eagles job isn’t one you take lightly,” Eguavoen told Brila FM. “If I were to take it permanently, I’d need to sit down and think deeply. It takes time to build a successful team, and I’d require contractual assurances and backing.”
Eguavoen has previously managed the Super Eagles on three occasions, but lamented the lack of time given to him to implement his vision. Comparing his brief stints with longer tenures given to former coaches like Clemens Westerhof and Gernot Rohr, Eguavoen emphasized that long-term support is crucial for sustained success.
