On Tuesday, 29 April, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced the appointment of former Super Eagles forward Finidi George as the new head coach of the senior national football team. He succeeded Jose Peseiro, who took the team to the final of AFCON 2024 in Cote d’Ivoire. This appointment came amid speculation that Finidi’s former teammate, Emmanuel Amuneke, was favoured for the role.
Finidi’s appointment has sparked a debate over his suitability for the role. While some question his experience, others highlight his leadership qualities and team management potential.
Cliff Mallett, an associate professor at the University of Queensland, described successful coaches as “benevolent dictators,” citing figures like Sir Alex Ferguson, Johann Cruyff, Arrigo Sacchi, and Jose Mourinho as models that aspiring coaches seek to emulate.
