Nigeria cannot tempt Toppmöller
Thursday, May 2, 2002
Article summary
Bayer 04 Leverkusen's Klaus Toppmöller is unlikely to accept an offer to coach Nigeria.
Article body
'It's complicated'
Toppmöller told the German sports daily 'Kicker' that it would be "difficult" to say yes to the proposal given his commitments with Leverkusen. "It is true and I haven't booked a holiday yet," he said. "I will talk with the men from the Nigerian Football Association again, but it is complicated because we [Leverkusen] will be playing until 15 May."
Written offer
Leverkusen director Reiner Calmund confirmed that the club had received a written offer from the Nigerian Football Association. "[It says] the assistant coaches should go with him and that while he will get a certain amount, the club will also be paid," Calmund said. "He is meant to do it in his summer holiday, but needs the holiday after the season we have had."
Treble hopes
Toppmöller, 50, has steered Leverkusen to the brink of the treble in his first term at the BayArena. Leverkusen, who meet Real Madrid CF at Hampden Park on 15 May, can win the 1. Bundesliga title against Hertha BSC Berlin on Saturday. They must take maximum points and hope that leaders BV Borussia Dortmund fail to beat SV Werder Bremen. They then face FC Schalke 04 in the German Cup final on 11 May.
Speculation rife
Toppmöller is the latest high-profile manager to be linked with the Nigeria job, a position currently occupied by Festus Onigbinde. The latter is expected to be in charge for the World Cup Group F matches with Argentina, Sweden and England.
