With Finidi George confirmed as the interim coach to lead the Super Eagles in the international friendly games against Ghana and Mali, expectations are high as to what difference the ex-international could bring to the senior national team.
Tipped among the favourite coaches to land the coveted Super Eagles managerial job, Finidi George has a silver platter on his hands with the upcoming friendlies to prove his competence and convince the authorities on why he should be appointed as the substantive coach of the three-time Africa champions.
To him, these are more than just friendly matches, and it helps that he is not new to the national team nor the players after being Jose Peseiro’s assistant coach for over two years.
In this article, we take a look at some managerial changes the former Enyimba international gaffer could bring to the Super Eagles in these two friendly matches:
Key Changes to expect from Finidi George
Attacking style of Play
Finidi George, a beguile winger during his playing days, spent a combined seven years in the colours of both Ajax and Real Betis. If there is a thing these two clubsides are known for, it is their philosophy of attacking play.
Imprinted in the Ajax football style is the Total Football philosophy engineered by Johan Cruyff, and Finidi in his managerial career has not betrayed this philosophy as his teams are always known for a free-flowing style of play, which means Super Eagles fans can be hopeful of once again seeing their team play some eye-catching football.
Tactical Flexibility
A chunk of the criticisms at Peseiro was his rigidity at sticking to a single tactical approach even in the face of the approach not working out. With Finidi, that is most likely going to be non-existent, with the Nigerian gaffer having shown his knack for tactical flexibility and excellent game reading during his stint at Enyimba. There were occasions during a match that Finidi has had to switch from a 4-4-2 formation to a 4-4-1-1 with two strikers, one centre forward and the other a roamer.
Top Football experience
Unlike Peseiro, Finidi George had a more successful playing career, winning major trophies including the UEFA Champions League as well as representing Nigeria twice at the FIFA World Cup.
With experience of having tasted football at the highest stages, it could prove to be important in the dressing room and on the pitch with the current players in the Super Eagles hungry for major silverwares with the national team.
Finidi could bring his rich experience to bear on the current crop of players which could be a significant source of motivation and guide to a winning culture in the Super Eagles.
