The NFF has confirmed the collapse of Bruno Labbadia's appointment as Super Eagles head coach due to German tax complications. Following his withdrawal, Austin Eguavoen has been appointed as caretaker coach, leading the team in upcoming 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that the deal to appoint German coach Bruno Labbadia as head coach of the Super Eagles has fallen through. The collapse of the agreement was attributed to complications arising from German tax regulations.
Initially, the NFF had revealed on Tuesday that they had reached an agreement with Labbadia, with plans for him to take charge of the national team immediately. However, by Friday, reports surfaced indicating that the deal had been called off.
NFF President Ibrahim Gusau explained that the issue arose after the two parties had initially agreed on terms. Labbadia had insisted that the NFF cover a significant portion of the tax obligations related to his salary, which could range from 32% to 40%. This demand was deemed unsustainable by the federation, leading to the cancellation of the contract.
As a result, the NFF has appointed Austin Eguavoen as the interim coach. Eguavoen, a former player and coach of the Super Eagles, will now lead the team in their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda. The Super Eagles are set to play Benin Republic in Uyo on September 7, followed by a match against Rwanda in Kigali three days later.
This unexpected change in leadership just before important international fixtures has sparked concerns about the team's preparation and stability.
