Renard finally reveals why he rejected ‘best proposal’ for Super Eagles job

Published on by Andrew Randa

Former Zambia and Ivory Coast coach Hervé Renard has opened up about how he came close to accepting the role of head coach for Nigeria’s Super Eagles, but ultimately decided against it.

The French tactician was heavily linked with the job after former Super Eagles assistant coach Finidi George stepped down.

Hervé Renard gives reasons why he rejected Super Eagles role
Photo by IMAGO

At the time, Renard had just left his post as the head coach of the French Women’s national team and was being touted as one of the prime candidates to lead Nigeria.

Swedish coach Janne Andersson was also in the mix for the job, but Renard’s extensive experience coaching in Africa, where he famously led both Zambia and Ivory Coast to African Cup of Nations titles, made him an appealing choice.

A source from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed to afrik-foot.com that Renard had been approached and offered the position.

Herve Renard gives reasons why he rejected NFF's offer

His strong reputation and proven success on the continent further heightened his chances of landing the role.

However, it was ultimately German coach Bruno Labbadia who was announced as Nigeria’s new head coach, though he would later decline the role, leading to NFF Technical Director Austin Eguavoen stepping in temporarily.

In a recent interview with French outfit L'Equipe, Renard confirmed that he had indeed received an offer from the NFF, but ultimately chose to decline. “I almost went to Nigeria,” Renard said.

Herve Renard says he almost accepted to coach the Super Eagles
Photo by IMAGO

“I weighed the pros and cons for several days, even weeks, before deciding against it.

“It was the best proposal I’ve received so far, but the others didn’t suit me.”he added.

Austin Eguavoen will be in the saddle again when the Super Eagles face Libya in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers as he continues in the role in a temporary capacity.

Renard finally reveals why he rejected ‘best proposal’ for Super Eagles job

Andrew Randa

Andrew Randa is a veteran Nigerian sports journalist with over 20 years of experience covering the beautiful game across Africa. Andrew served as a Media Officer for Nigeria's U-20 Men's National Team for three years, offering a unique perspective on the future stars of Nigerian football.

Beyond reporting, Andrew is a pioneer in sports graphics creation within Nigeria. His expertise extends to sports kit design, making him a true multi-faceted talent in the African sports landscape.

Andrew's experience is vast, with collaborations encompassing prestigious names like Kickoff, SuperSport, the NFF (Nigeria Football Federation), and the NPFL (Nigeria Professional Football League)