Former Sweden coach, Janne Andersson, has been reportedly linked to the vacant Super Eagles coaching job.
Although the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has not yet made any official announcement, Score Nigeria reports that the 61-year-old Sweden who qualified his country for Russia 2018 World Cup is the leading candidate for the Nigeria’s national team job.
If Andersson is appointed, he would become the second Swede to manage the Super Eagles, following Lars Lagerbäck, who led Nigeria to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Another Swedish coach, Thomas Dennerby, also managed the Super Falcons, Nigeria’s senior women national team at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.
Andersson’s managerial credentials are solid, having led IFK Norrköping to their first Allsvenskan title in 2016, which subsequently earned him the Swedish national team job.
His tenure with Sweden was marked by notable successes, including qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where Sweden advanced to the quarter-finals after topping Group F ahead of South Korea, Mexico, and defending champions Germany. They were eventually knocked out by England.
Despite Sweden’s recent struggles, including missing out on the 2022 World Cup and failing to qualify for Euro 2024, Andersson’s experience and pedigree make him a strong contender to lead the Super Eagles.
Nigeria’s Eagles, who are without a coach since Finidi George resignation as the team handler, are scheduled to face Benin Republic and Rwanda in the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, and Andersson’s appointment could bring a fresh tactical approach to the squad.
