Former Ivory Coast manager Hervé Renard has revealed that he was on the brink of becoming the head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, nearly replacing current caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen, News About Nigeria reports.
Renard, a two-time Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner, disclosed that he seriously considered an offer from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to lead the national team.
In an interview with French sports daily L’Équipe, reported by Brilla FM, Renard explained that after careful deliberation, he decided not to take the job.
“I almost went to Nigeria. I weighed the pros and cons for several days, even weeks, before deciding to turn it down. It was the best offer I had received, but ultimately, it wasn’t the right fit for me,” he said.
Renard, who has previously coached Ivory Coast, Saudi Arabia, and France’s women’s national team, was among the top contenders considered by the NFF to permanently fill the Super Eagles coaching position.
Currently, Augustine Eguavoen, the Super Eagles caretaker coach, has been tasked with leading the team through the upcoming AFCON 2025 qualifiers against Libya.
Eguavoen, who also serves as the NFF technical director, has expressed conditions under which he would consider taking the role on a permanent basis.
“The Super Eagles job I’m doing right now, if I were to take it permanently, it’s something I’d need to sit down, reflect, and think deeply about because it’s not a small job,” Eguavoen told Brilla FM.
He stressed the need for a long-term contract, patience, and support, noting that success cannot be guaranteed instantly.
“You have to give me a long-term contract with patience and clauses because winning isn’t guaranteed every week. You need to give me time to shape the team,” he added.
Eguavoen, who has managed the Super Eagles in three previous stints, pointed out that he has never been given enough time to fully implement his strategies.
“In 2006, I was there for six months; every other time it was two months or just a few games. Coaches like Clemens Westerhof and Gernot Rohr got years to build their teams. I never got more than six months,” he said.
The NFF has tasked Eguavoen with guiding the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2025 AFCON as well as overseeing the home-based Eagles’ qualification for next year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) in East Africa.
