A manager, not a coach, for the Super Eagles

Finidi George (right) discusses with Victor Osimhen. Photo: NFF

What the Super Eagles need is a manager and not a coach.  In the national team, there is less coaching and more player management; less technical training and more tactical planning – a very thin but delicate difference.  Coaching is about teaching players the rudiments of how and what to play through repeated practise.

Management is telling them what strategies to play at short notice, and hoping they do so! Coaching requires a lot of time and rehearsals to master a winning strategy. Managing is a quick-fix of tactics and organisation That’s why the best coaches of clubs hardly ever consider being managers of national teams. The two roles have very different approaches.   The best news out of African football is that Nigeria has finally bowed to the voices of reason to end the ugly, mental enslavement of coaches on the basis of the colour of their White skin, ahead of better experienced and better qualified local coaches.

Finidi George, an experienced Nigerian ex-international player with the highest qualifications is the manager Nigeria needs at this time, a gentleman to the core, one commanding great admiration and respect from the players, administrators and fans.   His success will be determined by the number of exceptionally-gifted players he is able to assemble at very short notice to play as close to a team as possible.

To have several players come from a particular club or league often helps. But the most important ingredient is having a collection of extremely gifted players for all the positions. Nigeria is enroute to achieving that. Ademola Lookman – finally, greatness! There is a very thin line separating a very good player from greatness. That