Sports
Hiddink, Mancini Not Interested In Eagles Job
Guus Hiddink and Roberto Mancini, two of the top candidates whose names have been bandied around for the Super Eagles job, are set to snub the country.
UK newspaper, The Guardian reports that Hiddink is preparing to make a return to Chelsea as Technical Director, while his place in Russia is favoured to go to the former Inter Milan coach, who has been out of a job since leaving the Italian champions in May 2008.
In any case, Hiddink’s current stratospheric $8-million annual salary would lead to a huge outcry in Nigeria, unless he is prepared to take a monumental pay-cut to lead a fourth team from a fourth continent to the World Cup.
Berti Vogts, Nigeria’s last foreign coach, was paid $50 000, less than a tenth of the Dutchman’s current monthly wages of around $667 000.
That was still enough to cause national outrage, even though the tab was picked up by a private telecommunications firm rather than with tax payers’ money.
Hiddink has a contract as Russia’s head coach until the end of June 2010, but sources say the Dutchman will almost certainly quit and take a job at Chelsea.
On Saturday, Hiddink told Russia’s Sovietsky Sport newspaper that his future will be sorted soon. “I think my future will be decided relatively quickly,” he said.
The Dutchman expects a formal decision to be made as early as next month but no later than January.
A source close to him did not even mention the Nigeria job in those plans: “He would go back and would be in position [to assist] if something is going not that well.
The Chelsea players like him. He’s already been at the club. There is a proverb in Russian that you can step twice into the same water. It is something he is capable of.”
Ancelotti said yesterday that he would be happy to work with Hiddink. “Guus Hiddink is my friend,” he said before today’s game at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“If he has free time, he can come to Chelsea and we can train together. It’s not a problem.” Jokingly, he added: “Maybe I could take a little holiday.”
There is no question that Hiddink would be welcomed back at Stamford Bridge as he remains on good terms with owner Roman Abramovich, who finances his astronomical wages in Russia.
The 63-year-old had a successful spell as Chelsea’s temporary manager last season, stepping in after the departure of Luiz Felipe Scolari and winning the FA Cup.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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