Bruno Labbadia has revealed the real reasons behind his decision to reject the chance to coach Nigeria’s Super Eagles, just days after being announced as the national team’s new coach.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had confirmed on August 27 that the 58-year-old would take over as head coach. However, the deal fell through three days later, with initial reports citing financial disagreements.
Labbadia, speaking on the podcast “Flatterball,” hosted by his former VfB Stuttgart player Martin Harnik, shared his side of the story.
“I wanted to go abroad,” Labbadia said. “The basic requirement for me was: I have to go to Nigeria to see everything on site. And that was no longer possible after it was announced.”
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The former VfL Wolfsburg and Hamburger SV coach insisted that finances were not the issue, as claimed by the NFF, who cited German tax payment issues.
“It was no longer about the pay. There were various organizational things that were problematic. And then things got tighter and tighter, so that I didn’t even have two days left to meet with the national team. Then I pulled the ripcord because the feeling was getting worse and worse,” he said.
Labbadia explained that he needed more time to properly assess the situation before committing to the role. “I wanted to be there for four or five days before the team arrived to take a look at the conditions,” he said. But the opportunity to do so did not materialize.
In the end, Labbadia said his decision to walk away was driven by his desire to give his best effort.
“They were great conversations. And what’s important to me: It was solely due to my feeling that I didn’t have the time I wanted to give 100 percent. That’s why I declined.”
Before considering Nigeria, Labbadia had turned down an offer to coach the Chinese national team. Reflecting on his talks with Nigeria, he admitted, “I was tempted to play in the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup. Above all, to play in a World Cup with a team that wouldn’t have to hide from the big teams.”
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