PUNCH
Bruno Labbadia has been named the new manager of Nigeria’s Senior Men’s National Team, the Super Eagles, ending weeks of speculation and uncertainty following the abrupt departure of former coach Finidi George.
George’s tenure came to a sudden halt just weeks after his appointment as the substantive head coach.
His brief reign saw the Super Eagles stumble in the early stages of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with a disappointing home draw against South Africa and an away loss to Benin Republic, led by former Eagles coach Gernot Rohr.
In the wake of George’s exit, the Nigeria Football Federation embarked on a search for a new head coach.
Several high-profile names were linked to the job, including Swedish coach, Janne Anderson, two-time AFCON winner Herve Renard, and Englishman Steve McClaren.
However, in a move that surprised many, the NFF ultimately chose Labbadia to lead the team.
Labbadia now faces the daunting task of preparing the Super Eagles for their next assignments, with less than three weeks to ready the team for crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Nigeria is set to face Benin Republic on September 7, followed by a clash against Rwanda three days later.
Sixth German to Lead the Super Eagles
Labbadia’s appointment continues Nigeria’s historical connection with German coaches. The first German to manage the Super Eagles was Karl-Heinz Marotzke, who took charge in 1970 and briefly returned in 1974. Since then, Nigeria has seen the likes of Gottlieb Göller (1981), Manfred Höner (1988-1989), Berti Vogts (2007-2008), and most recently, Gernot Rohr (2016-2021) at the helm.
