Rivers United Appoints Ex-Super Eagles Manager Finidi George As Head Coach

• Rivers United have appointed Finidi George as their new head coach after his short tenure with the Nigeria senior national team
• Finidi will be unveiled by the former Nigeria Premier Football League champions in Port Harcourt on Thursday, July 4
• Finidi resigned as head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles after two disappointing results in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers

Finidi George is set for a mega return to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) barely a month after resigning as head coach of the Super Eagles.

The 53-year-old former Ajax star quit as Nigeria’s head coach after only 40 days in charge following two poor results in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin.

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According to Complete Sports, Finidi has agreed to become the head coach of NPFL club, Rivers United, and will take charge of the former Nigeria league champions for the 2024/25 season.

Rivers United, who finished eighth on the NPFL log last season, sacked long-serving tactician Stanley Eguma towards the end of the campaign with Evans Ogenyi leading the team for the remainder of the 2023/24 season.

Finidi, who will be unveiled by the Pride of Rivers on Thursday, July 4th, in Port Harcourt, will be charged with revitalizing the club and making them competitive again.

Finidi’s track record in NPFL

Meanwhile, Finidi has a reputable track record in the local league after he managed nine-time NPFL champions, Enyimba for three years before moving up to coach the Super Eagles, Daily Post reports.

The 53-year-old led the People’s Elephants to the NPFL title in 2023 and was in the title race this season before deciding to take up the Super Eagles job mid-season.

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Finidi’s new role with Rivers United will be his second managerial role with an NPFL club since he returned to Nigeria.

Finidi set for fresh start

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Finidi could return to coaching weeks after resigning as head coach of the Super Eagles, with a return to the NPFL on the agenda for the former Real Betis star.

The 53-year-old manager was appointed as the Nigerian national team's head coach in May, but his tenure quickly turned sour after two poor results.

Under his tutelage, Finidi led the Super Eagles to a 1-1 draw with South Africa at home and then suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Benin Republic, raising questions about his ability to lead the team.