The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has come under scrutiny for its handling of the selection process for the Super Eagles head coach position.
Roberto Landi, an Italian coach with experience at Livingston and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, has criticized the NFF for their treatment of candidates applying for the job. Landi expressed concerns over the lack of communication and respect shown to potential applicants.
His remarks follow Bruno Labbadia’s abrupt withdrawal from consideration due to contractual disagreements with the NFF. Reflecting on the situation, Landi told SportsBoom.com, “If that’s the case, it’s crazy. No one wants to be treated that way or disrespected, and you see why someone would walk away. I say it because no one wants to be treated in that way.”
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Landi, who has not received any feedback from the NFF since submitting his application, shared his frustration over the silence. “I spoke with my agent, and he’s assured me that everything is fine while looking at some possible offers on the table. I was puzzled by the lack of response since my resume was submitted, and no one from the federation has reached out,” he said.
The 68-year-old coach emphasized the importance of finalizing contracts before making official announcements. “All contractual agreements need to be settled before anything becomes official, and a major organization like the NFF knows this. I don’t know any other details about this story beyond what we read in the media, but I believe they know what they need to do,” Landi added.
Despite his criticism, Landi remains interested in the Super Eagles job. He acknowledged the competitiveness of the selection process, saying, “We are waiting, but everyone knows how significant the Super Eagles role is. Yes, the allure is certainly still there.”
Landi concluded by wishing interim coach Austin Eguavoen and the team the best of luck in their AFCON 2025 qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda.