Gernot Rohr – Vlad1988 / Shutterstock.com
German coach Gernot Rohr has been in charge of the Nigerian national team since 2016, however he has never faced more calls for his sacking than now. Having led the Super Eagles to a third place finish at the 2019 African Cup of Nations, the 67-year-old signed a new contract last year, with his main target set having been to win the competition when it takes place in Cameroon.
However, it has recently emerged that the Nigerian Football Federation would have to pay out some $2 million in compensation should they look to remove the German from his contract early. Former Nigerian internationals Finidi George and Ndubuisi Egbo have already thrown their names into the hat should the NFF be on the lookout for a replacement for Rohr, with many speculating that the next African Cup of nations could be his last major tournament in charge of the Super Eagles.
Who Would Potentially Replace Rohr?
George has made no secret of his frustration at having been overlooked for roles within the Nigerian system over recent years. Meanwhile, Egbo, who recently became the first African coach to qualify for the Champions League with Albanian team Tirana, has spoken of desire to win the World Cup with Nigeria.
The Super Eagles have been drawn against Cape Verde, Central African Republic and Liberia as they look to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. Rohr was in charge when the Super Eagles agonisingly crashed out of the 2018 World Cup in Russia following a late goal from Argentina, having previously coached Bordeaux, Nice, Young Boys and Gabon, among others.
Rohr has come under fire for his decisions surrounding certain players and the fact that he fails to consider calling up players plying their trade in the Nigerian Professional Football League. The German recently criticised star striker Victor Osimhen, with the Napoli man having returned a positive Covid-19 test following a trip back to Nigeria in order to celebrate yuletide.
What the Nigerian Football Federation Has Said About the Future of Rohr
NFF president Amaju Pinnick played down reports that Rohr would be sacked back in November, with the Super Eagles having gone four games without a win, a run which included a 4-4 draw against Sierra Leone, a match in which they were 4-0 up in. Pinnick gave Rohr a vote of confidence by stating that: “Nobody dey happy about wetin happun against Sierra Leone for both matches. But e no dey enough to sack di coach becos e team still dey top of di Nations Cup group afta four matches. E statistics speaks volume for him, so which basis wey we want take to sack am considering say both parties just sign new contract. No matter how emotional and disappointed di fans dey, basis no dey to sack am now and e deserve to keep im job.”
However, with a vote of confidence from those in senior positions often coming before a managerial departure, it could be a good time to consider betting on your favourite to replace Rohr.