US U19 Coach Explains How He Would Improve Nigeria if He Becomes Next Coach

• Nigeria are yet to appoint a new coach after Jose Peseiro's exit
• The Portuguese left after leading Nigeria to the 2023 AFCON final
• A USA-based coach, Michael Nsien, has declared interest in the role

Nigeria are without a coach following the departure of Jose Peseiro earlier this month.

Several names have been linked to the job, including former Super Eagles players, but the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) are yet to announce a successor.

USA Under-19 coach Michael Nsien recently declared interest in the job and went ahead to explain how he would coach the three-time African champions.

Peseiro led Nigeria to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final but fell short against hosts Ivory Coast. The Portuguese was lauded for the achievement, considering Nigeria hadn't reached the final in a decade, per BBC.

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The job would be exciting for any top coach. The Super Eagles have arguably the best squad in Africa. Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Ademola Lookman, and Standley Nwabali are some of their top players.

Their next coach will be tasked with going further at the 2025 AFCON and qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in North America. The West African nation last played at the global bonanza in 2018.

Nsien on Nigeria role

Nsien criticised Peseiro's conservative approach. He says the team is too talented to just defend.

“We have too many top attacking players to sit back and take pressure,” via Afrik Foot.

He added that Nigeria must play attacking football against African teams. He stressed that his teams will only be flexible when facing European sides.

“On my playing style, you have got to be flexible at times though but with the quality of player profiles that we currently possess, we have to be able to dominate and play attacking football. It should be us always on the front foot especially against other African opponents,” he said.

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Nsien said the 2026 World Cup makes him want to take the role.

"With the World Cup happening in the USA in 2026, maybe the stars are aligning, and I think I am the candidate that lives in the best of both worlds."

Possible Peseiro replacements

Sports Brief earlier reported on five candidates who could become Nigeria's coach following Peseiro's exit.

Super Eagles icons Emmanuel Amuneke and Finidi George have been mentioned as possible replacements for the former Venezuela coach. Ex-Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet is also a candidate for the role.