Former president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has revealed that the Nigerian football body has the capacity to fund Finidi George's choice for foreign assistants, Soccernet.ng reports. George has been announced as the next boss to lead the Nigerian national team, succeeding his former boss, Jose Peseiro, who left the position after 20 months. However, there have been reports circulating in the Nigerian media space that Finidi would prefer a foreign coach as his assistant, snubbing Daniel Amokachi and Emmanuel Amunike for the role. Speaking to Arise TV , Pinnick revealed that the former Ajax star should be allowed to pick his preferred choice of coach to assist him, citing instances of those who have done so before him. "For his assistants, it is very tricky. It is normal for him to demand foreign assistants if he so desires. Bonfrere Jo was a foreign assistant to Westerhof and later took over the job. Oliseh had a foreign assistant, Siasia had a foreign assistant. It is not new and it is not bad for him to demand the same," Pinnick said. Earlier reports revealed that the NFF could not afford a foreign-based coach as the first team head coach but could afford a foreign-based assistant coach, which they opted for with a local head coach. Meanwhile, in appointing a foreign coach as Finidi's assistant, Pinnick believes it is within the capability of the Nigerian football body. If there are not enough funds to achieve that, it can always be discussed with Finidi. "Backroom staffing is more scientific right now. If he says he needs three backroom assistants, perhaps one for goalkeeper training, the others are for other positions. "The assistant coaches are the engine room of the success of any coach because they see what the coach can't see. "But then, it depends on funding from the federation, but I think it is not out of place. Finidi should be allowed to do what he wants to do. But if there is a paucity of funds, they can discuss it with him," he added. Reports reveal that NFF has recently approached US-based Nigerian coach Michael Nsien to be an assistant to George in the management of the Super Eagles team. However, he has reportedly rejected the offer from the NFF which is based on being paid per game. He wants the Nigerian football body to match his US-based salary before he can agree to the terms.
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