Super Eagles legend Emmanuel Amuneke has revealed what he thinks ruled him out of becoming the next Super Eagles manager.
The 53-year-old was highly tipped to take over from Jose Peseiro, whose contract with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had run out in February after guiding Nigeria to a second-place finish at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024) in Ivory Coast.
The NFF on Monday named another Super Eagles legend Finidi George as the replacement of Peseiro.
Prior to the announcement, George had acted on an interim basis and was in charge of the Super Eagles during March's international friendlies with Ghana and Mali.
After George's appointment, the former Barcelona star and 1994 African Footballer of the Year winner believes he was schemed out of the role because of some football officials in the country who still hold ‘bad blood’ for him due to past frictions.
Emmanuel Amuneke alleges smear campaign
In a recent interview with Nigerian publication Punch, Amuneke discussed his experience with the selection process and shared his thoughts, highlighting what he sees as attempts to tarnish his reputation in the media.
“They succeeded in smearing my name in the media because of the Eagles job. They can continue with their propaganda, but I will remain disciplined. It’s not do-or-die job. All those allegations made in the media online because of the Eagles job are obviously not true, but those who recommended candidates for the job know I will not be easily bullied. I know there is still bad blood with these officials, but it’s fine,” Amuneke stated.
Amuneke: Past controversies impact managerial prospects
Recent media reports have brought to light past allegations against Emmanuel Amuneke, shedding new light on his complex relationship with officials of the NFF.
Amuneke faced scrutiny during his tenure as the head coach of both the Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles.
One of the focal points of contention was Amuneke's purported frosty working relationship with NFF officials.
Another report surfaced alleging Amuneke's involvement in a pay strike orchestrated by the Flying Eagles players, a move that reportedly contributed to the team's failure to qualify for the 2017 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (U-20 AFCON).
This incident cast a shadow over Amuneke's managerial abilities and raised questions about his leadership style and decision-making.
In addition to the pay strike controversy, Amuneke faced accusations of unethical conduct related to player transfers.
Reports suggested that he played a direct role in the transfer of several players from the Golden Eaglets team he coached, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and violations of professional ethics within the Nigerian football landscape.
These reports, though unverified, have resurfaced in light of recent developments regarding Amuneke missing out on the Super Eagles job.
While the veracity of these allegations remains a subject of debate, they have undoubtedly contributed to the complexities of Amuneke's professional reputation and his interactions with football authorities in Nigeria.
Did Emmanuel Amuneke have the nous to manage the Super Eagles?
With a resume boasting an impressive array of achievements and experiences in football management, the question of whether Amuneke possessed the managerial competence and acumen to lead the Super Eagles to glory loomed large.
Amuneke's illustrious career spanned both coaching and playing realms, marked by notable successes on the international stage.
As the mastermind behind Nigeria's triumph at the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup, he showcased his ability to mould young talents into champions, laying the groundwork for future success on the global stage.
His managerial journey took him across continents, from coaching clubs in Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Egypt, and Nigeria to guiding the Tanzanian national team to a historic qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)—their first since 1980.
During his tenure as Nigeria's youth coach, Amuneke played a pivotal role in nurturing and developing emerging talents who would later become household names in Nigerian football.
Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze, two of Nigeria's brightest prospects, flourished under his guidance, emerging as key figures in the national team setup.
However, despite his impressive track record and undeniable contributions to Nigerian football, questions lingered regarding Amuneke's suitability for the role of Super Eagles manager.
While his ability to identify and nurture talent was unquestionable, some critics raised concerns about his tactical flexibility and decision-making under pressure—a sentiment echoed by certain segments of the footballing community.
