Foreign coaches on NFF’s radar

Consequently since that pronouncement was made by the leadership of the NFF after its Executive Committee meeting in Abuja, names of several coaches in Europe have continued to pop up here and there as likely replacements for Keshi who was sacked recently.Coach Kashimawo Laloko was the first to condemn the decision of the NFF to […]

Consequently since that pronouncement was made by the leadership of the NFF after its Executive Committee meeting in Abuja, names of several coaches in Europe have continued to pop up here and there as likely replacements for Keshi who was sacked recently.
Coach Kashimawo Laloko was the first to condemn the decision of the NFF to hire an expatriate manager for the Super Eagles but the football federation is bent on going on with its plan to get the national team a foreign coach.
Ruud Gullit was the first person to be linked with the job but his agent has come out to say that due to the prevailing security challenges in the country and the outbreak of the deadly ebola virus disease (which has been effectively contained), the Dutchman isn’t keen on accepting the offer to manage the Super Eagles.
Before him, names like Jorge Luis Pinto who led Costa Rica to a historic quarterfinals at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and Jose Pekerman, the Argentine who was in charge of Colombia national team in Brazil were all mentioned as coaches the NFF was considering.
However, at the moment, the NFF is said to looking in the direction of at least four European coaches who have the prerequisite knowledge to manage the team and instil a style that would mesmerize fans and bear fruitful results at the same time. So in the glasshouse, some Europeans who made a name playing football and are currently managing the game at different levels are being x-rayed.
Patrick Kluivert- Some might say what’s with Nigeria and Dutch coaches. Well, the truth is that Nigeria enjoyed its most memorable moments as far as football is concerned with coaches from Holland at the helm. Under Clemens Westerhof Nigeria not only conquered Africa at the Tunisia 1994 AFCON, it took the world by storm at the USA 94 FIFA World Cup where Eagles almost edged out eventual runners up Italy in the round of 16. Those lasting memories were followed by those Jo Bonfrere who guided Nigeria to Olympics Gold in Atlanta 96. This explains why Nigerians keep looking towards that country. Kluivert is a young manager that has been brought up under the tutelage of two great managers in Louis Van Gaal and Ronald Koeman. Apart from that the former Barcelona striker boasts of some of the best badges in the coaching job at this time after completing all the UEFA and FIFA courses in relation to the job. He is a young man brimming with ideas. Although linked with the Black Stars of Ghana, Eagles job would give him the opportunity to make his mark as a full fledge manager after serving as assistant to both Van Gaal and Ronald De Boer at Holland and Ajax respectively.
Carlos Quieroz- During the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, speculations were rife that Iranian manager Quieroz has been lined up to replace former Eagles manager Stephen Keshi (whose contract was on the verge of expiring) and the former Manchester United assistant manager came out to say Nigeria is a huge footballing country and it’s an honour to be linked to the top job. The Portuguese has over 20 years’ experience in management which include holding forth at his native Portugal twice, South Africa, UAE and also managed the biggest football club in the world in Real Madrid.
With Nigeria above Iran in global football scale, the gaffer might be tempted to move to where he feels there’s a potential and only need guidance to make things happen on the pitch. He may edge out his rivals because his stint with the Bafana Bafana might have afforded him the chance to understand the African terrain.
Frank Rijkaard- He is another Dutchman who was linked to the Eagles job in the past before he opted to accept Saudi Arabia’s offer. He is still being considered for the vacant post of Super Eagles manager. Rijkaard like most of his compatriots are well drilled in the famous tiki-taka style of football first introduced by the great Holland team of the 70’s which had Johan Cruyff as chief architect. Given his enviable achievements with Spanish club Barcelona and the fact that he has parted ways with Oil rich (players poor) Saudi, this might be the best time to table another offer for the former Milan midfielder in order to gain from his wealth of knowledge and experience, that is if he eventually becomes Eagles manager.
Gianfranco Zola- The former Italy international striker who made a name playing for world renowned clubs like Napoli, Parma, Chelsea and Cagliari is another European coach who is on the radar of the NFF. He began his managerial career with West Ham United in 2008 in the Premier League, after a stint with the Italian U-21s, before being sacked in 2010. Zola most recently became manager of Watford in July 2012 until he announced his resignation on 16 December 2013. So the out of job Italian is available, if he would be considered by the NFF bigwigs.