No national team experience, poor win record dominate new Super Eagles coach's profile

By Daily Sports Nigeria on August 27, 2024

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.

Of these, only Höner and Rohr enjoyed relative success. Höner led the Eagles to a runner-up finish at the 1988 AFCON, while Rohr guided Nigeria to the 2018 FIFA World Cup and secured a bronze medal at the 2019 AFCON.

First National Team Job

Labbadia brings with him a wealth of experience from club football, having managed since 2003. However, this marks his first foray into national team management and his first role outside of Germany.

Over the course of 487 matches across eight different clubs, Labbadia has an overall win rate of 44%, with 214 wins, 103 draws, and 170 losses.

His most recent position, a second stint with Stuttgart, ended after the team dropped to the bottom of the league standings.

A History of Short Stints

While the specifics of Labbadia’s contract with the NFF have not been disclosed, his career history suggests that his tenure could be short-lived.

The longest spell of his managerial career was at Darmstadt 98, where he coached from 2003 to 2006, leading the team to promotion in his first season.

Despite a contract extension at Stuttgart, he was dismissed three years later, ending his tenure with 50 wins, 24 draws, and 45 losses.

In subsequent roles at Greuther Fürth, Bayer Leverkusen, Hamburger SV, VfL Wolfsburg, and Hertha BSC, Labbadia’s average stay was just one year, including second stints at Stuttgart and Hamburger.

 

 

 

 

 

Source Punch Ng

Posted August 27, 2024


 

You may also like...
Name stadium after Keshi, Supporters Club tells FG...

Rohr handed injury boost as Iheanacho returns to...

Siasia Life Ban Appeal Gets October Date

True confession: I paid my brother Justin £75,000...

Toure happy with City return

Man Utd In Talks With Sporting Over Fernandes...

 

Latest News CAF awards: Ajibade, Nnadozie, Edo Queens bag nominations Lagos SWAN, PAACC Hold SWAN Day At Golfview Hotels, Ikeja Crisis looms as Eagles’ form raises AFCON, W’Cup concerns Ex-Nigerian Super Falcons player handcuffed, children assaulted as police storm Anambra Football Academy Sports NFF, teammates console Nwabali on father’s death Abia Govt hails Nigeria Olympic Committee over staging an admin course in Umuahia Libya deliver Eagles 2025 AFCON ticket Eagles battle Cheetahs for 2025 AFCON ticket Yellow Greens gear up for T20 W’Cup qualifiers Tyson tips Fury to beat Joshua Sadiq absent as 22 Eagles train in Abidjan Eagles’ striking trio hot for Cheetahs, Amavubi clashes

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,163 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,307 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,370 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (44,015 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (43,948 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (43,904 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,742 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,311 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,366 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,054 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,506 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (38,931 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media