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

• Published On: 27 August 2024 at 12:09

Bruno Labbadia has been named the new manager of Nigeria's Senior Men's National Team, the Super Eagles, putting an end to weeks of speculation and uncertainty following the sudden departure of former coach Finidi George.

George's tenure ended abruptly just weeks after he was named substantive head coach.

His brief reign saw the Super Eagles struggle 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, which was led by former Eagles coach Gernot Rohr.

Following George's departure, the Nigeria Football Federation began a search for a new head coach.



Several high-profile candidates were linked to the position, including Swedish coach Janne Anderson, two-time AFCON winner Herve Renard, and Englishman Steve McClaren.

However, in a surprising decision, 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 until the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Nigeria is scheduled to face Benin Republic on September 7, followed by a clash with Rwanda three days later.

Sixth German to lead Super Eagles

Labbadia's appointment strengthens Nigeria's longstanding relationship with German coaches. Karl-Heinz Marotzke was the first German to manage the Super Eagles, taking over in 1970 and briefly returning in 1974. Since then, Nigeria has been led by Gottlieb Göller (1981), Manfred Höner (1988-1989), Berti Vogts (2007–2008), and, most recently, Gernot Rohr (2016–2021).


Only Höner and Rohr achieved relative success. Höner led the Eagles to second place at the 1988 AFCON, while Rohr guided Nigeria to the 2018 FIFA World Cup and a bronze medal at the 2019 AFCON.

First National Team Job

Labbadia has extensive club football management experience dating back to 2003. However, this is his first experience with national team management and his first role outside of Germany.

Labbadia has a 44% win rate in 487 matches for eight different clubs, with 214 wins, 103 draws, and 170 losses.


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

The History of Short Stints

While the specifics of Labbadia's contract with the NFF have not been revealed, his career history suggests that his stay could be brief.

His longest managerial tenure was with Darmstadt 98, where he coached from 2003 to 2006, guiding the team to promotion in his first season.

Despite a contract extension at Stuttgart, he was fired three years later, finishing with 50 wins, 24 draws, and 45 losses.

Labbadia's average tenure at Greuther Fürth, Bayer Leverkusen, Hamburger SV, VfL Wolfsburg, and Hertha BSC was one year, with second stints at Stuttgart and Hamburger.