The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has parted ways with German tactician Bruno Labbadia just three days after appointing him as the head coach of the Super Eagles.
This follows strict regulations from German tax authorities, which have led to the collapse of the agreement between the Nigeria Football Federation and Coach Bruno Labbadia.
Addressing the issue on Friday, President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau stated that the federation refused to cover an additional 32% to 40% tax on Labbadia’s salary, which would have been required under German tax laws, deeming it financially untenable.
“We have been on the tax issue for the past three days, and I told him clearly that there was no way the NFF will agree to offset the concomitant tax percentage on his salary that will be demanded by German tax authorities. It is not possible for us to shoulder the responsibility of shelling out another money, between 32% to 40% of his salary, after paying the agreed monthly wage,” he noted.
Musa further disclosed that an agreement in principle was reached with Coach Bruno Labbadia before his appointment as Head Coach of the Super Eagles was announced but the German gaffer insisted the NFF cover the full tax amount, a condition the federation could not meet.
“The NFF and Mr. Labbadia reached an agreement in principle before we made the announcement that he would become the Head Coach of the Super Eagles. The tax details were never part of our discussions, and he had personally agreed to all terms before the tax issue came up. We were doing our best to be flexible in the discussions but he was adamant that the NFF had to pay the full tax amount as well. We simply cannot do that.”
As a result, the NFF’s Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen, will now lead the Super Eagles in their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic on September 7th in Uyo and Rwanda on September 10th in Kigali.
This will mark Eguavoen’s fourth time at the helm of the the three-time African champions, following his previous tenures in 2005-2007, 2010, and 2022.
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Story by: Gabriel Tecco Mensah | univers.ug.edu.gh
