Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Amaju Melvin Pinnick has shared his reasons for preferring a foreign coach for the Super Eagles during his tenure.

Pinnick, a strong advocate for having an international figure lead the Super Eagles, emphasized that players are likely not to respect home-based coaches as much as foreign coaches.

“Even before I got into the NFF, I observed that the Nigerian coaches have the required knowledge and abilities, but it goes beyond technical ability in managing players. One thing that is elemental when you want to manage a player is respect; do they have respect for the coaches?,” the former NFF chief told Arise TV.

“No matter how high a former Nigerian has played when he becomes a coach, the players in the team possibly don’t have the same level of respect for him. I just know that, but with a foreign coach, it’s different.”

The national team has been without a head coach since Finidi George’s resignation, and all eyes are on the NFF to announce the next coach.