Former VfB Stuttgart coach Bruno Labbadia hints at a potential role with Nigeria’s Super Eagles following his earlier rejection due to tax issues. After Finidi George's resignation, speculation about Labbadia's appointment resurfaces with a cryptic Instagram post, though the NFF has yet to confirm his position.
Former VfB Stuttgart coach Bruno Labbadia has sparked excitement among Super Eagles fans with a recent social media post hinting at a potential role as Nigeria's new head coach. This follows the resignation of Finidi George after just two matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, which led to Labbadia being announced by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as his successor.
However, the appointment has encountered complications related to contractual obligations. Reports surfaced shortly after the NFF's announcement, suggesting that Labbadia had rejected the position due to issues regarding tax obligations associated with his salary. The NFF, led by President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, clarified that while an agreement was reached in principle, tax responsibilities had not been discussed, causing the impasse.
Gusau explained that Labbadia was insistent on the NFF covering the full tax amount, a demand the federation could not meet. In a surprising turn, Labbadia took to Instagram on Wednesday with a post reading "New chapter," accompanied by a Nigerian flag emoji. This has reignited speculation about his potential acceptance of the Super Eagles role despite previous setbacks.
While fans remain hopeful, the NFF has yet to officially confirm his appointment. If Labbadia takes the position, he would succeed Augustine Eguavoen, who served as Technical Director during the recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
