Football
Roberto Landi Wants the NFF to Show Respect Towards Candidates: “There is No Mutual Respect”
Roberto Landi criticizes the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) for a lack of respect towards managerial candidates after recent controversies involving the Super Eagles' coaching position, urging the NFF to handle negotiations more professionally.
Image Credits: Andrew West\SNS Group via Getty Images
Roberto Landi has called the bluff of the Nigerian football body, the NFF over some perceived negligence to duty and gross laxity following recent developments regarding the Super Eagles managerial post.
Last week's cacophony of events saw the NFF go ahead to announce Bruno Labbadia as the new national team manager and while the German has since walked out on the job owing to some contractual disagreements, Nigeria have now been forced to look elsewhere after this month's international hostilities.
Landi, once touted for the job believes the federation can do better with their candidates so as to avoid misunderstandings such like that.
The NFF need treat employees with respect
Speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com on the fall out of the Labbadia announcement, the former Livingston and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise manager called on the NFF to clarify things and listen to the demands of their prospective clients, and not jumping to conclusions all by themselves.
Recall that news broke in the local media that Herve Renard and Janne Andersson, both of whom were regarded as front runners for the role had reportedly also decided not to advance in negotiations with the NFF, a move which triggered the hasty announcement of Labbadia.
"I don't know, but that is crazy", Landi said. "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 want to be treated in that way.
Speaking on how the federation were yet to reply despite submitting his CV for the job,
"[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.
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 what we read from the media, but I believe they know what to do.
Roberto Landi
Interest in the Super Eagles job
Landi obviously remains in the picture, having previously stated his readiness to take up the vacant Super Eagles role.
He however knows the NFF would be looking at a number of contenders, which makes it a lot competitive.
"Maybe you want to know what their [NFF] preferences might be. We're waiting, but everyone knows how big a job the Super Eagles role is," the Italian tactician said.
"Yes, certainly the lure is still there. Mr Austin [Eguavoen] takes charge of the team's games for next month, I suppose? I wish him and the team the best of luck in that. Ciao".
Since he broke loose from the shackles of long hours huddled up in a hot classroom learning Mandarin Chinese and Pinyin at the famous Confucius Institute, UNIZIK, Emmanuel Chinaza has embraced sports and football in particular, and it helped that he grew up in the football-crazy city of Anambra.