The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is searching for a new foreign coach for their national football side, the Super Eagles, as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers approach.
The selection process has been rigorous, involving numerous well-known foreign coaches. The next coach’s first responsibility will be to guide the team through the AFCON qualifications, which begin in September, and prepare for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, which resume in March 2025.
1. Herve Renard
Herve Renard, a French coach, is one of the leading candidates for the Super Eagles coaching job. Renard is well-known in African football circles, having won the Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia in 2012 and Côte d’Ivoire in 2015.
His contract with the French women’s team is slated to expire following the Paris 2024 Olympics, making him ready for a new challenge. Renard’s request for a monthly compensation of $180,000 reflects his high opinion of his experience and success rate.
2. Steve McClaren
Another intriguing candidate is Steve McClaren, a former England national team coach who is now an assistant coach at Premier League club Manchester United. McClaren’s international experience and engagement with top-tier club football make him a good possibility. His interest in the role indicates that he is prepared to return to the international coaching stage and face the challenges of African football.
The NFF’s technical committee, directed by Sheriff Rabiu Inuwa ‘Ahlan’, has conducted a thorough search. The committee’s members, including football stars Felix Anyansi-Agwu, Felix Owolabi, and Victor Ikpeba, have worked together to select possible candidates.
They recently nominated a few coaches, including Renard and McClaren, and forwarded their proposals to the NFF’s executive committee for final approval.