The 2006 World Cup-winning Italian captain, Fabio Cannavaro, has reportedly revealed that he declined an offer to manage Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, saying he prioritises potential opportunities with European clubs.
Cannavaro disclosed this in an interview with Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I had offers from Nigeria’s national team and Iranian clubs, but I want to wait for Serie A and European clubs until December. After that, I may start travelling again,” Cannavaro said, indicating his preference to stay closer to home before considering roles abroad.
The former defender, who left his managerial position at Udinese in May, expressed his intention to explore opportunities in European football before making decisions about his next move.
Reflecting on his time at Udinese, he noted, “Udinese are doing as well as I expected because they are strong.”
Cannavaro, the last Italian to win the Ballon d’Or in 2006, also commented on the current state of Italian football, particularly regarding the absence of Italian players in the top 30 of the Ballon d’Or list for 2024.
“I expected it after the Euros; it’s fair. However, we should not despair. We haven’t seen this crisis for years. Simply, we must do again the things that made us win in the past,” he stated.
The Super Eagles coaching position became vacant in June after Finidi George resigned, following plans by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to appoint a foreign technical adviser.
The NFF had reportedly engaged in discussions with French coach Hervé Renard and Swedish coach Janne Andersson before announcing the appointment of German coach Bruno Labbadia. However, Labbadia stepped down just days later, citing disagreements over tax requirements.
Cannavaro’s decision to turn down the Super Eagles role highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the NFF in securing a long-term coach for the national team amid a series of managerial changes.
