French coach Hervé Renard has revealed that he was close to becoming the head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles after being approached by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) following Finidi George’s unexpected departure in May.

Renard, who previously managed Ivory Coast and Zambia, was highly considered as a replacement before negotiations with German coach Bruno Labbadia collapsed, leaving the Super Eagles without a coach.

Renard admitted that the NFF’s offer was the most financially appealing he had ever received, but after thorough consideration, he ultimately declined.

“I almost went to Nigeria. I weighed the pros and cons for several days, even weeks, before turning it down. It was the best offer I’ve had, but in the end, it wasn’t the right fit for me,” Renard told L’Équipe, as reported by Brila FM.

In the meantime, interim coach Augustine Eguavoen, currently preparing the team for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Libya, has hinted that he could take on the role full-time if certain conditions are met. Eguavoen emphasized the need for a long-term contract, patience, and consistent support from the NFF to succeed in building a strong team.

“The Super Eagles job isn’t a light responsibility. If I were to take it permanently, I’d need time to think deeply. It’s a tough role, and to build a team, it takes time,” Eguavoen told Brila FM.

Eguavoen, who has had three previous short stints as head coach, lamented the lack of time he was given to execute his plans, contrasting his situation with former coaches Clemens Westerhof and Gernot Rohr, who were afforded several years to develop the team.