When Nigeria lost to Central African Republic in the World Cup qualifier, it was the final straw for their Federation. They decided to part ways with their longest serving manager Gernot Rohr and to put faith in an interim manager Augustine Eguavoen. He continued for another three months before the Super Eagles ‘paid’ for their decision by failing to secure a trip to Qatar. And now, they are looking for stability and will look at all possible candidates for the job, and the shortlist consists of four managers: Laurent Blanc (PSG, Bordeaux), Ernesto Valverde (Barcelona), Philip Cocu (PSV) and Jose Persseiro (Sporting).Nigeria boss quits after failing to reach World CupGerman tactician Gernot Rohr was in charge of the Super Eagles since 2016 but was suddenly sacked, even thou he qualified for the 2021 Africa Nation’s Cup and for the final round of the World Cup playoffs. Reasons stated by the Committee was the lack of discipline as they wanted to ‘prevent a disaster’, but the disaster still happened, three months later. Nigeria was playing with Ghana in the WC Playoffs but lost on away goals, and failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 16 years.Top European coaches make shortlist for the vacant Nigeria Super Eagles head coach role.• José Peseiro 🇵🇹• Laurent Blanc 🇫🇷• Ernesto Valverde 🇪🇸• Philip Cocu 🇳🇱@360sportsGH pic.twitter.com/9toHVtRJOU— @Manuel97 (@BabankoEmmanue3) April 11, 2022 Riots followed after the game and Dr Joseph Kabungo, a Zambian medical practitioner, who was serving as the Confederation of African Football’s Doping Officer was killed in chaos, and Augustine Eguavoen, who led the team to the Round of 16 at the 2021 AFCON resigned. And now it seems, according to the Nigerian New Telegraph, that the French tactician is the closest of the four. Blanc was sacked from Al Rayyan on February 13 and is reportedly interested to take over. He is surely the most prolific name, as he coached France national team twice, apart from PSG and Bordeaux.21:45: (2.25) Bologna (3.30) Sampdoria (3.60)Ernesto Valverde is a former Barcelona coach who also managed Valencia, Olypiacos, Espanyol and Athletico Bilbao. Cocu also has experience with the national team, as he was an assistant manager with Holland between 2008 and 2012, but also coach of PSV, Fernabache and Derby County. Peseiro is a former coach of Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, and also a former manager of Sporting CP, Braga, Al Ahly, Al Hital and an assistant coach in Real Madrid. After a meeting on Friday in Abuja, the technical committee recommended Blanc, Verlverde, Cocu and Peseiro to the football body.
