Nigeria has found a new national coach.
With the German Bruno Labbadia, the position is now held by an experienced Bundesliga coach – for whom this is the first job as a national team coach. He becomes the sixth German coach in the history of the “Super Eagles” and the 37th national coach of Nigeria.
He takes over from Portuguese Jose Peseiro, who resigned as coach after the final defeat in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations against Ivory Coast.
Early World Cup exit looms
But Labbadia and Nigeria have tough weeks and months ahead of them. With just three points from four matches in the World Cup qualifiers, the West African country is in danger of being eliminated early, meaning it is only second to last in the table.
In addition, the qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations is also scheduled for next September, where Nigeria will face Libya, Rwanda and Benin as favourites in Group D. Expectations in Nigeria are high, as numerous stars such as Atalanta’s Lookman, Leverkusen’s Boniface and Napoli striker Osimhen wear the jersey of the “Super Eagles”.
Labbadia was most recently on the sidelines for VfB Stuttgart from December 2022 to April 2023. In his career, the 58-year-old has also coached clubs such as HSV, Hertha BSC and VfL Wolfsburg.
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