The long-running wrangling between Gernot Rohr and the Nigerian Football Federation appears to be nearing an end after an official of the Federation confirmed that the coach has been sent “new contract guidelines to sign”.
Rohr’s future has been the subject of intense speculation after the NFF failed to honour several deadlines to offer him an extension to his current deal which runs out in June.
The Franco-German has however been clear about his intentions to extend his four-year stay with the 3-time African champions.
But that stance was thrown into doubt when the NFF revealed that any extension for the former Gabon manager was contingent upon him agreeing to three “non-negotiable” terms.
NFF president Amaju Pinnick said last week that the 66-year-old would be sent an initial offer “within ten days” which would include the stipulations that Rohr must accept a naira-denominated salary, live in Nigeria and “nurture” domestic players.
Several commentators saw the NFF’s stance as a ruse designed to ease the Franco-German out of the way with several reports touting 1994 African Player of the Year Emmanuel Amuneke as Rohr’s designated replacement.
Those speculations have been dismissed by Super Eagles’ Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye who declared in a chat with The Guardian that the position of national team manager has never been declared vacant.
Ibitoye also confirmed that initial “contract guidelines” have been sent to Rohr by the NFF per Pinnick’s “ten days” timeline.
“The NFF has not declared Gernot Rohr’s position vacant. I don’t know where the news that different coaches have been contacted by the NFF to coach the Super Eagles is coming from,” he said.
“Rohr’s contract as the Super Eagles coach is still on till June, and the NFF has sent him a new contract guidelines to sign.
“I believe at the end of the day, everything will be sorted out by both parties because Rohr is still interested in coaching the Super Eagles.
“If there is any issue that emanates from the contract, the NFF will issue an official information on that to the media. Rohr is still in charge of the Super Eagles, and he is in a cordial relationship with the NFF,” he concluded.
