BY SAB OSUJI

Adebayo Gbadebo, a Nigeria born coach based in Thailand has given his thoughts on Finidi George's choice of Assistants ahead his reign as Super Eagles Head Coach.

The Media had been awash with speculation since it was reported that Finidi was looking in the direction of Europe for his assistants.

While some kicked against a possible engagement of foreign coaches to assist the former Nigeria international, hinging their thoughts on the fact it will negate the long call for Nigerian indigenous coaches to take center stage of the National Team coaching job.

But Gbadebo, a former Stationary Stores FC, Lagos and ex Super Eagles strongman, reasons otherwise, reasoning instead that nationality should not dictate who should assist Finidi but 'professionalism'.

"The nationalities of his Assistants are not important as long as they are qualified professionals and he will be comfortable working with them", Gbadebo said to Exclusivenews.com.ng from his Bangkok base.

"The responsibility is totally on him (Finidi George)".

"The issue about Finidi’s Assistants must have been known, fact checked and concluded by the Technical Committee before announcing the appointment of the Head Coach.

"We are in the modern age of information and technology. Things are easily explained and confirmed", Gbadebo summed up..

On Monday, 13 May 2024, Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, officially unveiled Finidi George as substantive Super Eagles Head Coach.

Finidi's Assistants were similarly made open with two the 'foreign assistants' having Nigerian Origin.

Benjamin James who is First Assistant Coach, is from Bayelsa State and a former NPFL player with 3SC and later Stationary Stores during his playing career before sojourning to Europe with Italy first and later Germany.
James worked with German Bundesliga side, Hoffenheim, before his latest appointment.

Similarly, Chima Onyeike, his second Assistant Coach also has Nigerian roots..

Chima is to function as Super Eagles fitness coach, 
having held similar responsibilities at various European clubs including VfB Stuttgart, Germany; PAOK of Greece and Willem II, Holland.

The only European born coach in Finidi's Super Eagles crew is Mehmet Ozturk who will function as Super Eagles Match Reader/Analyst.