US-based Nigerian coach Michael Nsien has declined an offer from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to serve as an assistant coach to newly appointed Super Eagles head coach George Finidi due to a contractual dispute.
Nsien, who currently holds the position of coach for the US U-19 team, had also thrown his hat in the ring for the Eagles’ head coaching position. However, when the NFF opted for Finidi, they extended an offer to Nsien for the assistant coach role.
However, the NFF’s proposal to pay Nsien on a per-match basis rather than offering a full contract was not acceptable to the American-Nigerian coach.
Confirming the approach, Nsien expressed that both parties failed to reach an agreement on monetary terms. “Yes, they (NFF) approached me. They cannot meet my salary requirements,” Nsien told The PUNCH.
Nsien, who hails from Eket in Akwa Ibom State was first named head coach of the United States U-16 men’s national team in 2022 before being promoted to handle the U19 team in 2023 and has been linked severally to coaching roles in Nigeria.
An NFF official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorization, revealed that contract negotiations did not progress beyond the initial stages. “We didn’t even get that far as per the contract talks. They asked him for an amount per game, and he said if it’s not a full contract, no need to discuss more, that the NFF has to match or better his current contract with the US team.”
Another source close to Nsien criticized the NFF’s contract terms as “insulting,” emphasizing that Nsien was not desperate for employment. “He is not unemployed; he still has two years on his current contract. So, it’s insulting to think he can accept to be paid per match. That’s (NFF offer) amateur. Now they’re unsure of what to do.”
The rejection leaves the NFF in a dilemma, requiring them to reconsider their options for the assistant coach role.
