Roberto Landi, an unsung versatile Italian coach and former manager of Livingston and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise who applied for the vacant Super Eagles substantive Head Coach job has voiced his concerns about how the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is treating candidates for the position.
In an interview with SportsBoom.com in the wake of Bruno Labbadia’s abrupt walkout from the Super Eagles managerial role due to contractual disputes, Landi did not hold back, stressing the importance of mutual respect between the NFF and prospective managers.
“If that’s the case, it’s crazy. No one wants to be treated that way or disrespected, and you see why one would walk out. I say it because no one wants to be treated in that way,” the former goalkeeper stated, reflecting on Labbadia’s decision to walk away from the job.
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Landi, who has submitted his application for the Super Eagles job, expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the NFF. He revealed that despite assurances from his agent, he has received no response since applying for the job.
The onetime USA Goalkeeper Trainer said: “[Like in my case] I spoke with my agent, and he’s assured that all is
well, while looking at some possible offers on the table. I wondered on
the silence since my resume got turned in and no one from the federation
has reached out.
The 68-year-old also harped on the importance of finalising contractual agreements before making any official announcements.
“All contractual agreements need to be covered before anything becomes official, and a big body like the NFF knows this. I do not know any other details of this story aside from what we read from the media, but I believe they know what to do,” Landi added.
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Landi, however, remains interested in the Super Eagles job, acknowledging the competitiveness of the selection process.
“We’re waiting, but everyone knows how big a job the Super Eagles role is. Yes, certainly the lure is still there,” he noted, before wishing interim coach Austin Eguavoen and the team the best of luck in their upcoming AFCON 2025 qualifying matches against Benin Republic in Uyo and Rwanda in Kigali.
8 Comments
Who be dis one? If they didn’t touch base with you, rightly so………What was your last job? and what do u even know about coaching a top national team? I blame the NFF for this…Every dick and harry think they can coach the Nigerian national team with some bs resume. His last job was in 2016 in the Italian Serie C, and he was fired lmaoo….Before then he lasted few months with Liberia and some club in Libya. Na waoh
Oooooooouuuu God. Why are these non starters, misfits forcing themselves down our throats???? Th>snLandi abi na Sardine just got me started this evening. Just imagine the enfrontry and smelly tin is even abusive to our national asset-The NFF-. Is landi or whatever he chooses to call himself mad? Jeeeeez, high time we continued to have fate in our local and indigenous coaches, give them more time on the job irrespective of loses or wins. And on that note, should the newly appointed Super Eagles coach, Eguaveon defeats Rohr and the Amarobvi(not so sure of the spelling of Rwanda in the upcoming games, qualifies us for Afcon and the WC, he should take us to the tourney. There’s nothing wrong seeing an indigenous coach in the dugout, commandeering his wards in the WC arena.
NFF, abeg, abeg, stop this nonsense of wasting our common patrimony on foreign coaches and lets learn to win, draw and lose with the local coaches. There’s nothing wrong if Eguaveon takes us to the World Cup and besides, heaven isn’t gonna fall.
Read through your comment again.
NFF- Your national asset? So you can come out and be proud of this NFF?.
Same Eguavoen was in charge during the previous AFCON and lost the first knock out match, and a so-called rubbish white coach took you to the final of the next AFCON.
We are 2 matches away to the last WC, this same Eguavoen was in charge and coudn`t scale through. Almost 3 years later he was called back from the office again to lead the team, and you don’t see anything wrong in that?.
A fan like you deserve this NFF
Are you sane at all? NFF is a national asset? and a Eguavoen a certified failure with 4 stints as our coach? e be like sey u need psych medications.
Nigeria is a ongoing horror movie. What a disgrace. Word is getting around if not before if people don’t know how Nigeria operates. Corruption top to bottom
You have to understand these people come from first world countries so their standards are different and much higher. Leon Balogun exposed nff on a radio and he was never heard from again, a mixed biracial german player. I understand nff not paying locals, but to not pay a white person his money? Nff & Nigerians are really bold to keep on doing this crap. Building their homes in uk and france
And now you have another white person, italian Landini saying “If that’s the case, it’s crazy. No one wants to be treated that way or disrespected, and you see why one would walk out. I say it because no one wants to be treated in that way,” the former goalkeeper stated, reflecting on Labbadia’s decision to walk away from the job.“ Nff don’t care. Nff is looking for a stooge, a person that doesn’t really care about the development of the players and team but do whatever they say. These white actually want to start something well.
I swear the arab north africans are the best run. People who think things are fine or nothings doesn’t want the country to progress. Always an embarrassment
@Shuma, with all due respect, your post betrays a very low self-esteem and inferiority complex!
Just for the record, the NFF is a horror show (ironically run by folks who seem to share your inherent inferiority complex) and should treat EVERYONE with respect and common professional courtesy (which includes respecting contracts, paying folks their entitlements – and timely too, acknowledging and responding to correspondence, etc.) – not just “white” or “mixed biracial” persons! SMDH
Shebi na foreign coach una want
NFF has no money they are just doing Ghost interviews so that Nigerians will not ask them for the 2million Caf largesse. Any candidate who agrees will then be frustrated out so that they will say he walked out. Lol thieves!!!!