Nigeria have appointed Jose Peseiro as coach of the men’s national football team, returning their attention to the Portuguese tactician after rescinding his original offer earlier this year.
A statement by Ademola Olajire, the NFF’s Director of Communications, said the 62-year-old’s appointment is “with immediate effect, subject to the signing of agreed terms”.
Peseiro, who played as a striker in Portuguese leagues in the 1980s, was originally approached in late 2021 for the job, and was due to take over from interim coach Augustine Eguavoen after the Africa Cup of Nations this January.
But the NFF opted to stick with Eguavoen after the AFCON, making his appointment permanent. But that was not a lasting solution, as the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, and the coaching role became vacant once again.
Peseiro is expected to take charge of the Super Eagles for their two friendlies later this month in the USA against Mexico and Ecuador.
Peseiro began his coaching career in 1991 as a player-coach with Union Santarem in the Portuguese fourth tier. His big break came in 2003 when he was named as an assistant to compatriot Carlos Queiroz at Real Madrid.
After the pair were fired, Peseiro was appointed by Sporting Lisbon, leading them to a third place league finish and the UEFA Cup Final, which they lost to CSKA Moscow.
During his 15-year career, Peseiro has coached clubs in Portugal, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Romania, United Arab Emirates and Egypt. Those include Sporting, FC Porto, Panathinaikos, Rapid Bucharest, Sporting Braga, Victoria Gumaraes, Al-Hilal, Al-Wahda, Al-Ahly Cairo, Sharjah FC and Real Madrid.
He has won two titles in that spell — the Egyptian Premier League with Al Ahly in 2016, and the Portuguese Cup with Braga in 2013.
At international level, he has coached Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. He failed to guide Saudi Arabia to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and was dismissed after losing to Syria in the AFC Asian Cup. Venezuela failed to get past the group stages of the 2021 Copa America, tallying two draws and two losses.
This underwhelming list of international accomplishments mean that despite having top level coaching qualification and impressive list of clubs, Peseiro’s appointment has not been met with much enthusiasm in Nigeria.
NFF Vice President Shehu Dikko told ESPN last year that the federation believes in their new coach: “He has worked with big coaches like (Jose) Mourinho and (Carlos) Queiroz, coached at a big club like Real Madrid, coached big players and small players, coached in the World Cup qualifiers, UEFA Cup, UEFA Champions League and so on.
“He is also well educated, with a masters degree in sports science. He might not have won anything, but we believe he will bring value to our team.”
His staff will include former Ajax star Finidi George. The UEFA Champions League winner, who was originally named as second assistant coach, has been pushed up to first assistant, taking the place of Salisu Yusuf, who drops down to second assistant.
Usman Abdallah keeps his place as third assistant. Ike Shorunmu, another former international, will be goalkeeper trainer, while Eboboritse Uwejamomere will be Match Analyst.
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