BALLGIST has scooped the five foreign coaches shortlisted by the NFF technical committee to head the Super Eagles before it was ordered to only consider a local coach for the top post.
None of the names are particularly exciting but maybe that is what the Super Eagles needs at this point in time, efficiency with a sense of know-how to get the job done. The five foreign coaches chosen five were –
Portuguese coach who guided the Indomitable Lions to finish third at the delayed 2021 AFCON hosted by Cameroon two years ago. He showed interest in the role after Jose Peseiro resigned in February. Initially, the NFF chose local coach Finidi George instead. Conceicao has been out of work since leaving the Cameroon job in 2022. He was interested in returning to Cameroon but missed out on the position.
Former France international midfielder who played for PSG and also coached the club. His managerial career also included Cannes and Reims in France as well as Athletic Bilbao, Real Betis and Espanyol. He also headed the Syli Stars of Guinea for a year.
Luis Fernandez – Former PSG coach was one of coaches shortlisted
A surprising choice in all honesty as he has lost a job in Africa due to poor behaviour in 2015 coaching Mauritius. Former France international winger who coached several African teams like Mauritius, Guinea and Togo but has been unemployed since 2021.
Former Al Ahly coach, whose coaching stints were mostly in his native Spain, where he headed Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla, Villarreal, Levante and Osasuna. He is only applicant with any experience at the technical level on a large scale as he was named the club’s director of football in 2018.
Mexican coach who at a time headed his country’s national team and also headed several top clubs like Monterrey, Club America, Atlante and Tijuana, all in Mexico. He left his managerial role at Club Tijuana on the 30th of April 2024.
Mexican football legend – Miguel Herrera
PLAN TO RIGHT THE SHIP BY THE NFF
With the Super Eagles 2026 World Cup hopes in complete shambles after they failed to win any of their first four qualifiers, the NFF have since announced they will hire a foreign coach to turn around the fortunes of the national team.
They further disclosed that the new Super Eagles coach will be appointed before the 2025 AFCON qualifiers begin in September.
Officials told BALLGIST that they expect the technical committee to revisit their shortlist in the first instance before embarking on a fresh selection process.
