Sports minister stops NFF from hiring Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro as Super Eagles manager

PLANS by Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) officials to immediately engage Portuguese manager Jose Peseiro as the new Super Eagles head coach have been put on hold by the sports minister Sunday Dare who has insisted they look at other candidates too.

Following Nigeria's disastrous World Cup qualification campaign, the NFF has begin the search for a new coach as part of a rebuilding programme. Apparently, the recruitment programme is attracting big names like former Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde, former PSG and France coach Laurent Blanc and former PSV Eindhoven manager, Phillip Cocu.

However, NFF chairman Amaju Pinnick, is very keen on signing Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, who he failed to get earlier and is ready to offer him the job straight away. However, Mr Dare, has insisted that the other coaches be given the chance to stake a claim before a final decision is made.

Mr Peseiro is thought to have already agreed a deal with conditions with Mr Pinnick and is expected to resume duties next month. However, the minister is said not to be impressed that the NFF settled for the Portuguese coach without giving the other coaches shortlisted for the job the chance to even present their cases.

In a letter sent to the NFF, in reply to their recommendation of Mr Peseiro as the new coach, the minister said the trio of Philip Cocu, Laurent Blanc and Ernesto Valverde should be engaged in contract talks before a decision is taken.

He added that even though Mr Peseiro is not a bad coach, he cannot be said to be the best among the quartet jostling for the job. Mr Dare thus advised the NFF to ensure that a thorough job is done and it involves extended talks with all the other interested candidates.