New Super Eagles coach: Andersson confirms talks with NFF and is excited to be considered

As first reported by ScoreNigeria, 61-year-old Swedish coach Janne Andersson has confirmed that he is in talks with the Nigeria Football Federation to take over as head coach of the Nigeria senior national team, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Andersson, 61, is a strong candidate to take over as Nigeria’s national team coach from Finidi George, who left his post as coach two months ago after disappointing performances in World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic respectively.

“I can confirm that I have had a dialogue with the Nigerian Football Federation,” he told *Expressen*.

The coach who led Sweden for seven years has not had a coaching job since leaving the Swedish national team last November. He is now reportedly the favourite for the Nigeria job, although two-time African Cup of Nations winner Hervé Renard is also in the mix.

Whatever happens, the coach said he is happy to be considered for the job because of Nigeria’s reputation in the football world.

“I can confirm that I have held discussions with the Nigerian Football Federation. Nigeria is a very football-oriented nation, so I am incredibly flattered to have been considered for the position of the next national team coach. Discussions are ongoing and I don’t want to say much more than that,” he said, adding:

“I’ve been in this industry long enough to know that things can happen in different ways. So we’ll see what happens in the future. There’s nothing definitive at this point. We’ll see.”

Despite his enthusiastic reports of a current contract with a media company that means he will not be available for Nigeria until the end of September, meaning he will not be on the bench against Benin Republic and Rwanda respectively if he eventually gets the job, he remained coy about the situation.

“There is no connection. It was never planned to happen now. I am very flattered by the contact and we will see where it leads. The trip itself does not prevent me from taking on the role,” said Andersson.

On whether he will be available to take on the Super Eagles role while on holiday in the Atlantic, the coach said he would prefer to keep his options open until someone gets in touch with him. “We’ll see, haha. It will work out.”

Mohamed Mowiz Suleiman