Sunday Oliseh has told Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) officials that he is comfortable to be paid the same $25,000 (N5m) a month his predecessor Stephen Keshi earned while in the job.
Following the sacking of Stephen Keshi as the Eagles head coach earlier this week, the NFF decided to offer Sunday Oliseh the job and the former skipper is currently negotiating the details of his contract. Over the last few days, Oliseh and NFF chairman Amaju Pinnick have been negotiating at a west London hotel to finalise the details of the contract.
Oliseh is due to fly into Abuja on Tuesday evening to meet with the NFF technical committee headed by Felix Anyansi-Agwu. Already, Oliseh has insisted that he wants Belgian coach Jean François Losciuto, who holds a UEFA license as his assistant.
Losciuto, was Oliseh’s assistant during his coaching stint with RCS Verviers, before he became director of the youth academy at Belgian club RFC Liege. Losciuto also coached Rwandan club Rayon Sport and Burkina Faso champions ASFA Yennenga, so he is well versed with the African setting.
Under the arrangement being worked out, Losciuto will have direct oversight for the five year development plan for the restructuring of football in Nigeria. In this respect, he will work along with Oliseh in drawing up a comprehensive policy and a homogeneous playing philosophy for Nigerian football at all levels.
One NFF official said: “Oliseh is ready to earn the same pay Keshi was on. This again shows he is ready to serve his fatherland and money is not what is driving him, which is another good sign with the decision to give him the job without much fanfare.”
Oliseh’s backroom staff will include assistant coach, Salisu Yusuf as well as Ike Shorunmu, who will remain as goalkeeper trainer. His most immediate task will be a 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifier in Tanzania due in September.