Super Eagles new boss Finidi George becomes Nigeria’s highest-paid indigenous coach

The unveiling of the new Super Eagles coach, Finidi George, has sparked curiosity within the Nigerian football community regarding the details of his contract, Soccernet.ng reports.

Despite the official introduction by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) today, the specifics of Finidi’s contract remain undisclosed, leaving many to speculate about the treatment of indigenous coaches by the NFF.

According to ACLSports, Finidi George will earn a monthly salary of 15 million naira for his services, making him the highest-paid indigenous coach in Nigeria.

This significant increase contrasts sharply with the rumoured earnings of most indigenous coaches, which reportedly rarely exceed 2 million naira.

While the exact duration of Finidi’s contract was not specified, it is expected to run until May 2026, spanning a two-year period. Finidi emerged victorious in the selection process, beating out other top contenders such as Emmanuel Amuneke for the prestigious role.

Finidi George’s Response

During the official unveiling at the Moshood Abiola Abuja National Stadium, Finidi George expressed contentment with the terms of his contract. He emphasized his focus on delivering results and expressed confidence that increased compensation would follow as he adds value to the team.

“I am not quite worried about earning even as much or even more than [Jose] Peseiro because what I’m getting is good enough for me at the moment. The moment I add value to what I’m here to do, the money will definitely come,” said Finidi, as reported by Football Temple.

He further stated, “I think the honourable minister and the NFF would definitely call me and say ‘Coach, how much do you want?’ so for me it’s all about work, work, and adding value. So as long as the team is going to win, money is going to come.”

Finidi’s Upcoming Challenges

Reports indicate that Finidi George will lead the Super Eagles as they open camp on May 28 in preparation for their first competitive game since the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign. Nigeria will face South Africa in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying match at the Nest of Champions in Uyo on June 7, followed by a match against Benin Republic in Abidjan three days later.

With Nigeria currently holding two points from their opening group games in the World Cup qualifying race, the pressure is on for Finidi to lead the team to success on the international stage.