The Untold Story of Finidi George’s Resignation as Super Eagles Coach
Finidi George is a retired Nigerian professional footballer, widely regarded as one of the best African players of his generation. Born on April 15, 1971, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Finidi primarily played as a winger. He is best known for his time with Dutch club Ajax, where he achieved significant success in the mid-1990s, including winning the UEFA Champions League in 1995.
Early Career and Rise to Fame
Finidi George began his professional career in Nigeria before moving to Europe, where he signed with Ajax in 1993. At Ajax, he became a key player, known for his speed, dribbling skills, and crossing ability. His performance helped Ajax dominate Dutch and European football during his tenure.
Club Career
Ajax (1993-1996): Finidi’s time at Ajax was marked by numerous titles, including three Eredivisie championships and the UEFA Champions League. His contributions on the right wing were vital to the team’s attacking prowess.
Real Betis (1996-2000, 2002-2003): After Ajax, Finidi moved to Real Betis in Spain, where he continued to impress with his skill and consistency. He became a fan favorite and helped Betis qualify for European competitions.
Mallorca (2000-2001): Finidi had a brief stint with Mallorca, further showcasing his talents in La Liga.
Ipswich Town (2001-2003): Finidi then moved to the English Premier League with Ipswich Town, although the team struggled, and he eventually returned to Real Betis for a short period before retiring.
International Career
Finidi George was a crucial part of the Nigerian national team during the 1990s. He earned over 60 caps and was instrumental in Nigeria’s victory at the 1994 African Cup of Nations. He also represented Nigeria in two FIFA World Cups (1994 and 1998), where his performances were widely praised.
Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Finidi transitioned into coaching. He took on various roles, including being part of the coaching staff for the Nigerian national team. His most notable recent position was as an assistant coach for the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s national team. His resignation from this role has been a topic of much discussion and speculation within the football community.
Legacy
Finidi George remains an influential figure in Nigerian and African football, remembered for his contributions on the field and his efforts to develop the sport in his home country. His career serves as an inspiration to many young African footballers aspiring to reach the highest levels of the game.
The Untold Story of Finidi George’s Resignation as Super Eagles Coach
Finidi George decided to quit his role as the head coach of the Super Eagles, after he felt betrayed by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
The 53-year-old decided to step down on Saturday and sent his letter to the federation.
Collin Udoh, a former Super Eagles media officer, revealed in a video posted on social media that he spoke to Finidi after he decided to quit the team.
“Finidi confirmed to me that he resigned his position indeed,” Udoh said.
“The reason being that he met with the NFF on Thursday, and they had a very good conversation.
“They spoke about the things they need to do going forward and he (Finidi) asked if he will be back.
“At no point during that meeting did anyone tell him they were going to appoint a foreign technical adviser.
“The NFF board had met on Wednesday and made that decision. But it was when Findi landed in Port Harcourt after that meeting that someone called him and informed him. He (Finidi) had to park his car and read the link to see that it actually was true.
“So he waited for two days to see if anyone would contact him but nobody spoke to him. So he (Finidi) felt they didn’t want him anymore, and so he decided to turn in his resignation.”
George guided the Eagles to a 1-1 draw against South Africa at home in Uyo and a critical 2-1 loss to Benin Republic in Abidjan, placing Nigeria’s World Cup qualification in jeopardy.
