Bayelsa United Football Club has officially confirmed the shocking abscondment of its Technical Adviser, Coach Ladan Isah Bosso, describing his departure as an act of arrogance and a gross display of disrespect to the state and its people. The club has petitioned the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), seeking redress for what it calls a “brazen violation” of contract.
Coach Bosso, 57, who was appointed last year to rescue the team from relegation, successfully steered Bayelsa United to a respectable 10th-place finish in the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season. However, his sudden disappearance from pre-season preparations sparked confusion and anger within the club and among its supporters.
Unbeknownst to Bayelsa United, Bosso had entered into a new agreement with Barau FC, a newly promoted club based in Kano, which has since unveiled him as its Technical Adviser for the upcoming season. The move blindsided Bayelsa United’s management, who believed the coach was merely on a break.
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, who is a staunch supporter of the club, was briefed on the situation and acknowledged the matter during a recent State Executive Council meeting held in honour of the victorious Bayelsa Queens. The Governor reportedly advised the club to formally notify the NFF of Bosso’s conduct before moving forward with the appointment of a new head coach.
In a strongly worded petition to the NFF Secretary-General, the Chairman of Bayelsa United, Nwakwe Tarilaye, condemned Bosso’s departure as unprofessional and damaging to the club’s preparations for the 2025/2026 season. The letter, titled “Notification of Abscondment from Duty by Ladan Bosso,” stated that the coach left his position without any formal communication and still has a valid contract with Bayelsa United.
Read also:
“Coach Ladan Bosso’s actions amount to a serious breach of contract. His unilateral move to sign a new deal with Barau FC, while still under obligation to Bayelsa United, is not only illegal but a shameful affront to the integrity of the coaching profession,” the club said.
The petition further criticized Bosso’s position as President of the Nigeria Coaches Association, saying his conduct sets a terrible precedent for professional ethics in Nigerian football. The club is now demanding N30 million in damages from Bosso for breach of contract and disruption to the team’s pre-season plans.
Bayelsa United emphasized that the case must serve as a warning to other coaches who may consider violating contractual obligations without due process. The club insists that holding Bosso accountable is crucial not just for justice, but for maintaining discipline and professionalism within the Nigerian football ecosystem.
ADVERTISEMENT
