NFF provides an update on Renard rumours as Nigeria begin search for Finidi replacement
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Herve Renard || Image credit: Imago

NFF provides an update on Renard rumours as Nigeria begin search for Finidi replacement

Faruq Ibrahim 13:11 - 25.06.2024

A top official of the Nigerian Football Federation reportedly addressed the reports linking France's women's national team head coach Herve Renard with the Super Eagles job.

The Nigerian Football Federation has reportedly denied approaching two-time AFCON winner Herve Renard to appoint him as the next men's national team head coach following the brief stint of Finidi George in the role. 

The Super Eagles job became available after the former Real Betis winger put in his papers after only two games of being officially in charge. The federation is currently in the market for a replacement and is alleged to have denied contacting Renard, as reports claimed. 

The allure of Herve Renard 

Renard, currently the head coach of the French women's national team ahead of the Olympics, is one of the more seasoned international managers in the game who is versed in African football. 

Renard, a three-time CAF Coach of the Year, has won the African Cup of Nations twice: with Zambia (2012) and Ivory Coast (2015). 

Most recently in the men's game, Renard led Saudi Arabia to a relatively successful World Cup campaign, in which they beat eventual champions Argentina in their first group stage game.

Herve Renard at the FIFA World Cup with Saudi Arabia
Herve Renard at the FIFA World Cup with Saudi Arabia

NFF denies contact 

Despite his remarkable CV and the pressure on the NFF by fans to poach the French coach, the football governing body is not looking in his direction at the moment. 

Contrary to reports that surfaced in the last 48 hours stating that the NFF has advanced for the former Sochaux manager, a ‘top official’ of the federation was quoted by the BBC's Oluwashina Okeleji to have stated otherwise. “This report is inaccurate. We’ve not contacted Renard or his reps,” the official reportedly said.

Renard is a top target for several countries and a few have already initiated talks with him. The reported inaction from the NFF in that regard suggests they do not plan to go that route.

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