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Andersson and Renard in talks to take Nigeria job
Aug 22, 2024
Nigeria’s long search for a head coach is in its final stages, but complications persist with two candidates left in the race.
The Super Eagles have been without a permanent boss since Finidi George stepped down only two matches into a two-year contract he signed as recently as May.
George, who was part of the Nigeria squad that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), had initially held the role in an interim capacity for the March international window.
He managed only one win throughout his four matches in charge, and the 2-1 defeat by Benin that rounded off his short-lived tenure leaves Nigeria languishing second from bottom in their 2026 World Cup qualifying group.
Amid much speculation, as well as the involvement of the country’s sports minister, Nigeria has honed in on two candidates: Swede Janne Andersson and Frenchman Herve Renard.
Whoever gets the nod, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is in a race against time as qualifying for the 2025 Afcon begins on 7 September.
Andersson represents the pragmatic option for Nigeria, both in profile and affordability.
Last year, the 61-year-old ended a seven-year spell in charge of Sweden, in which he reached the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the last 16 at the 2020 European Championship.
However, the latter years of his tenure were marked by underachievement and he resigned in November after failing to secure a place at either the 2022 World Cup or Euro 2024.
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