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Stephen Keshi has said he would “love to stay on” as Nigeria manager despite a difficult three years at the helm.
The 52-year-old led Nigeria to their third African title in 2013 and the last 16 at the World Cup in Brazil.
The Nigeria Football Federation, which
allowed Keshi’s contract to expire after the World Cup, has opened
discussions with him in the hope of persuading him to return as Super
Eagles coach.
And BBC Sport understands the coach is keen to continue if contractual conditions are respected by his employers.
Keshi is the first and only Nigerian to lead
the country to an Africa Cup of Nations title, as well as to the last 16
of a World Cup
His previous reign as
coach was littered with problems over money, as he experienced a number
of delays in receiving his salary, and issues around his control of team
selection.
The football authority also failed to provide
Keshi with an official car and accommodation as stipulated in his
previous three-year contract.
The former Nigeria captain was also burdened
with the responsibility of paying one of his assistants from his
monthly-salary after the NFF refused to approve the assistant’s
appointment.
These are some of the issues Keshi wants ironed out before he commits himself to a new contract with the NFF.
However, Nigeria’s sports ministry is understood to feel Keshi has made “outrageous” demands over a new deal.
He has reportedly sought a new deal that
would double his $30,000-a-month salary, ensure monies are paid upfront
to avoid delays and also allow him to pick his staff.
But following a meeting of the NFF executive
committee this week, the board “mandated the technical sub-committee to
open channels of communication with Stephen Keshi with a view to
extending his contract, as the NFF is still interested in working with
him”.
It added: “The technical sub-committee is to report back to the executive committee within one week.”
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