Roma manager, Jose Mourinho has reportedly recommended a new foreign coach for the Super Eagles after he was contacted by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
The announcement of the new coach, whose identity is still being kept under wraps, could be made before the impending Africa Cup of Nations billed for Cameroon in January.
According to Vanguard, the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick who has never hidden his lack of confidence in Nigerian coaches, went in search of a capable hand who would replace sacked Gernot Rohr.
The publication reports that its source stated that due to the backlash that followed Rohr’s poor performance with the Eagles, Pinnick didn’t want to take anything for granted, in his search for Rohr’s replacement.
“The NFF boss went as far as meeting with many respected names including the former Chelsea coach, Jose Mourinho to assist him in getting a good coach for Nigeria,” our source said.
“The speed and precision with which the NFF applied in securing a new coach could not have been possible without the role played by the ‘Special One’.”
The source said the NFF President is not leaving anything to chance in his bid to ensure Nigeria’s flag is flown in Qatar 2022. “Qualification to the 2022 World Cup is top priority for NFF president Amaju Pinnick,” he said.
Pinnick, himself said as much when he explained that Rohr was booted out to avoid a “disaster”, which will actually be failure to feature at Qatar 2022 that will guarantee millions of US Dollars to the country.
Although the new coach is expected to be named before the AFCON, he is expected to be in Cameroon as a spectator. “He is expected to have a first hand knowledge of the team from the background while interim coach Austin Eguavoen pilots the campaign for Nigeria’s fourth continental title,” source added.