Pinnick also argued that Finidi is not be the first Super Eagles head coach to demand for a foreign assistant
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has backed the decision of Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George, to work with foreign assistants.
He made this known while featuring on a programme on Arise TV, where he argued that the idea is not alien to Nigerian football.
Finidi is yet to put together his backroom staff a week after his appointment was confirmed by Nigeria’s football governing body.
The 53-year-old reportedly rejected NFF’s proposal to work with two of his former teammates, Emmanuel Amuneke and Daniel Amokachi.
The former winger, instead, is keen to appoint an expatriate as his assistant.
Speaking on the development, Pinnick jumped to the defence of the coach, insisting that he has the right to pick his assistants.
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He said: “For his assistants, it is very tricky. It is normal for him to demand foreign assistants if he so desires. Bonfrere Jo was a foreign assistant to Westerhof and later took over the job. Oliseh had foreign a assistant, Siasia had a foreign assistant. It is not new and it is not also bad for him to demand same.
“Finidi is well equipped; he played for Ajax and they over there have developmental football mentoring in kicking the ball, trapping and all that. I think he is well positioned for the job.
“For Amuneke, he is also technically sound, but I am talking of the seamless transition from Peseiro; it will benefit the team much for Finidi to have the job and thank God he is there.
“Backroom staffing is more scientific right now. If he says he needs three back room assistants, perhaps one for goalkeeper training, the others are for other positions.
“The assistant coaches are the engine room of the success of any coach because they see what the coach can’t see.
“But then, it depends on funding from the federation, but I think it is not out of place. Finidi should be allowed to do what he wants to do. But if there is a paucity of funds, they can discuss it with him.”
