Finidi George: Newly Appointed Super Eagles Boss Breaks Pay Barrier for Local Coaches

• Finidi George has become the highest-paid indigenous coach in Nigeria
• The newly appointed Super Eagles manager took over from Jose Peseiro
• He expressed contentment with the terms and is focused on getting results

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday, May 13, unveiled Finidi George as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.

The former Real Betis star, who played for Nigeria in four Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments and two FIFA World Cups, has been awarded a two-year contract to keep him at the helm until after the 2026 World Cup.

The announcement sparked discussions about the NFF's treatment of indigenous coaches and the value they place on their expertise.

According to ACL Sports, Finidi will be earning a staggering 15 million naira per month, making him the highest-paid indigenous coach in the country.

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This will be a significant shift from the typical salaries most local coaches receive, which are said to rarely exceed 2 million naira.

Minister for Sports Owan Enoh and other top NFF officials attended the unveiling ceremony, during which Finidi expressed his contentment with the contract terms.

"I am not quite worried about earning even as much or even more than Peseiro because what I'm getting is good enough for me. The moment I add value to what I'm here to do, the money will definitely come," he said, as quoted by Soccernet.

Finidi's appointment is seen as a positive step in the development of Nigerian football as the country seeks to nurture and retain its homegrown talent. The former international player has been tasked with the immediate challenge of securing maximum points in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and the Benin Republic.

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Finidi responds to his critics

Sports Brief reported that Finidi issued a promise to his critics ahead of the June international window.

The former Ipswich Town star's appointment as manager has been met with scepticism across Nigeria’s footballing community.

He has appealed to fans not to judge him based on his previous results and promised to make amends in the upcoming games.