FOREIGN COACH: Ruud Gullit rejects Super Eagles job, fears he may be kidnapped in Nigeria

Nigeria’s plan to hire former Dutch and Chelsea coach, Ruud Gullit for the Super Eagles may have crumbled with a report that Gullit has rejected the offer because of the fear of contracting Ebola as well as the fear of getting kidnapped in Nigeria.

AfricanFootball.com exclusively reports that one of coach's representatives disclosed that Gullit will not be interested in taking up the job because it is “high risk”, while listing out the outbreak of Ebola and security fears in Nigeria particularly as the country is gearing up to conduct a general election next year.

The rejection came before the World Health Organisation declared Nigeria Ebola-free.

An agent of the coach also told the the online soccer news medium that: “Also, Gullit is a top personality and he told the person who spoke directly to him today (Monday) that he fears he may be kidnapped in Nigeria.”

According to the report, a source close to Gullit added: “What is clear is that these fears may not be only limited to Gullit. Most other top Dutch coaches will also stay away because of these should they be approached for the job.”

Nigeria’s history with Dutch coaches have been that of success judging from the records of Clemens Westerhof who led Nigeria to win a second Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia 1994 and qualified the country for its first appearance in the World Cup, USA ‘94.
Bonfrere Jo, another dutch coach, who was Westerhof’s assistant, led the country to the historic Olympic gold success of Atlanta ’96 as well as a controversial second place finish in Nigeria-Ghana 2000 Nations Cup where Nigeria lost on penalty shootouts following the goal-line rejection of a penalty kick from Victor Ikpeba. 

Bonfere Jo celebrating Atlanta 96 success with his players

Bonfere Jo demonstrated invincibility in spoiling the opponent’s game plans by rotating his own players out of their usual position. On two separate occasions, for example, played Finidi George, a natural right winger in midfield and played Tijani Babangida, another natural right winger, in the left wing.