Uefa licensed coach and former Super Eagles winger, Finidi George has expressed disappointment over being overlooked for the Under 17 job on two occasions.
The 49-year-old former Ajax star was first denied the chance to take charge of the Golden Eaglets as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) decided to retain veteran tactician Manu Garba.
He was snubbed again in 2019 for a vastly experienced compatriot Fatai Amoo.
Despite being denied the chance to tutor the country’s youth side, the Super Eagles legend disclosed that he will not ‘shut to door’ at Nigeria when duty calls.
George speaking via BBC Sport Africa: “I’m very disappointed but I understand the Nigerian system quite well.”
“It’s a matter of having patience. So I’m open to continuing to improve myself with the hope of getting a chance to coach one of the country’s youth teams.
“When you have the right qualifications, attitude and professionalism, you can only aim for the best and it may even be a chance with the senior side, the Super Eagles, we shall see.”
“I was disappointed to be ignored, but only consoled that at the end of the day this is Nigeria,” he added.
“I understand the challenges, I will just wait for when the time is right and the opportunity presents itself again.
“As I continue to look at other options out there, I am open and will not shut the door to Nigeria.
“I just hope someday that decision will be made and I will be called upon to handle one of the teams. I can only just keep hoping.”
After impressive spells at Nigeria Professional Football League outfits Calabar Rovers, Iwuanyanwu Nationale (now Heartland) and Sharks (now Rivers United), Finidi moved to Ajax in 1993.
At Ajax, he won two Eredivisie titles, two Dutch Super Cup diadems aside from winning the Champions League in 1995. Before featuring for Real Betis, Ipswich Town and Real Mallorca.
