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Nigeria: Labbadia’s Challenge – German Coach Seeks to Revive Super Eagles

todayAugust 28, 2024 1

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With a 43.94% win rate and no major trophies in his 21-year managerial career, Labbadia faces scepticism from fans who expected a high-profile appointment

After a 73-day hiatus, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) ended its silence by appointing Bruno Labbadia as the 37th head coach of the men’s national team.

Labbadia is the sixth German to take charge of the Super Eagles and the 26th foreign manager overall. This decision was taken to calm critics and provide direction for the Super Eagles just days before the AFCON qualifiers.

Currently, the Super Eagles are in a precarious position. The team has failed to win in their last seven World Cup qualifiers – six draws and one defeat. Thus, Labbadia’s appointment is tinged with both excitement and anxiety.

Many supporters, who had been led to expect a high-profile coach by various blogs suggesting names like Hervé Renard, feel Labbadia does not fit the profile of a top-tier manager. They continue to criticise the NFF for the vague terms of his contract.

According to BBC Africa, Labbadia’s appointment was rushed because Swedish coach Janne Andersson informed the federation of his availability later in the year, possibly in November, which the NFF deemed too late. As a result, Labbadia was screened last Thursday (22 August), but formal contract papers have yet to be signed by both parties.

As it stands, as previously reported by PREMIUM TIMES, Labbadia will need to perform some “abracadabra” to ensure Nigeria remains a strong contender in the qualifying series.

A practical choice for the NFF’s budget

Labbadia has been appointed, and the next step is for him to gain the team’s and fans’ trust and confidence to succeed–avoiding the fate of Finidi, whose tenure lasted 180 minutes. Labbadia has led six clubs in Germany in his managerial career, and this will be his first experience outside Europe.

Despite his extensive experience, Labbadia’s managerial career lacks the lustre of trophies. In 21 years as a manager, he has never won a major title. His closest attempt was in the 2013 DFB-Pokal final between Stuttgart and Bayern Munich, which Stuttgart lost 3-2.

Labbadia has managed six clubs, including Stuttgart and Hamburg, which he led on two occasions. He has overseen 487 matches, with 214 wins, 103 draws, and 170 losses, resulting in a 43.94% win rate. This might suggest that the German coach is an average manager but a relatively good choice given the NFF’s current financial situation.

The performance of German coaches in Nigeria

Nigeria has appointed six German managers, including Labbadia, since the national team was formed in 1952.

The first was Karl-Heinz Marotzke (1970-1971, 1974), followed by Gottlieb Göller (1981), Manfred Hoener (1988-1989), Berti Vogts (2007-2008), Gernot Rohr (2016-2021), and now Labbadia.