Amuneke also argued that the position of head coach of Nigeria’s national team should be awarded based on merit
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former Barcelona striker, Emmanuel Amuneke has stated that he is not desperate to become Super Eagles’s coach, but expressed desire to handle the team if given the opportunity.
Amunike made this known on Tuesday while speaking to journalists in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
According to the 1996 Olympic gold medalist, the position of head coach of Nigeria’s national team should be awarded based on merit and with the best interests of Nigeria and football in mind.
He also expressed confidence that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) would eventually appoint the ideal coach for the Super Eagles top job.
ALSO READ: Super Falcons qualify for Paris Olympics, break 16 years jinx
He further said that with a plethora of Nigerian talents scattered across the globe, a lot of professional capacity, technical expertise and consultation would be required to harness the talents, combine them and achieve the needed balance.
Speaking on the vacant role, Amunike said: “I am not desperate to be Super Eagles coach, inasmuch as I nurse the ambition to coach. If I have the opportunity to serve my fatherland, I will accept it and deliver my all.”
He further called for the development of football at the grassroots to enable further development of the Nigerian league by harnessing more talents.
Meanwhile, Former President of the NFF, Amaju Pinnick has backed Finidi George for the vacant Super Eagles coaching job.
He made his position know while featuring on a programme on Arise TV, where he named some of the virtues which have endeared him to the former Ajax player.
Pinnick said: “In my opinion, I’ve seen him (Finidi), I’ve worked with him, I brought him on when I was president as one of the assistant coaches. He has some virtues that we need as a coach. He has leadership, dexterity, and most importantly, humility.”