Super Eagles Coaching: Meet the 3 Foreign Coaches Leading NFF’s Shortlist to Replace Finidi George

• The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has drawn a shortlist of managers to replace former coach, Finidi George
• The former Real Betis forward opted to step down from his role after the disappointing result against Benin Republic
• Sports Brief shines the spotlight on the three foreign tacticians currently leading the NFF list to replace Finidi.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has compiled a shortlist of three coaches to replace Finidi George as the manager of the Super Eagles.

The 53-year-old tactician departed his role with the Nigerian team after a brief tenure that included a draw and a defeat against South Africa and the Republic of Benin in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification series.

These disappointing results saw the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finalists drop to fifth in their Group C standings, jeopardising their chances of qualifying for the World Cup in the Americas.

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In an effort to salvage the qualification campaign, the NFF has emphasised their intention to appoint a foreign manager for the Super Eagles.

According to a report from OwngoalNigeria, the federation has drawn up a shortlist of candidates from which they are likely to select the new manager.

Sports Brief takes a closer look at the three coaches on the NFF's shortlist and their managerial records.

The three coaches on NFF’s shortlist

Marc Brys

The 62-year-old is one of the three names being considered by the federation according to the report.

The Belgian gaffer, who has experienced relative success during his 25-year-long coaching career, was named manager of the Cameroonian team in April.

However, his tenure has been fraught with conflict, as he has continued to be at loggerheads with Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) president Samuel Eto'o.

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According to data from FotMob, the well-traveled coach has had an impressive win ratio throughout his career, with his highest being a 1.7% win rate during his first stint with Saudi Pro League club, Al Raed.

Brys' key selling point to the Nigerian team is his expertise with the 3-4-3 formation, a tactic that has been particularly successful for Nigeria over the past five years.

Additionally, he demonstrates considerable versatility, often deploying his teams in a 4-3-3 system. Sofascore data details that the Belgian coach has secured 234 victories in the 628 competitive matches he has managed.

Didier Six

The former Mauritius coach is another candidate on the federation’s list to replace Finidi.

The 69-year-old Frenchman is highly experienced on the African continent, having managed Togo and Guinea in addition to his time with Mauritius.

Six recorded win percentages of 30% with Togo and 45% with Guinea during his respective tenures. The French coach favours a 4-3-3 formation but has an underwhelming record of just 19 wins in the 47 games he has managed, according to SofaScore data.

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Six is yet to return to coaching since leaving his role with the Guinean national team in October 2021.

Antonio Conceicao

The Portuguese manager completes the current shortlist of foreign candidates detailed by the NFF. The former Braga manager was most recently in charge of the Cameroon national team, where he achieved an AFCON bronze and secured qualification for the 2022 World Cup.

According to Footy Stats data, Conceicao is known for his high-attacking 4-3-3 approach and boasts a win percentage of 43.44%. Specifically, he has secured victory in 53 of the 122 official matches he has managed.

The 62-year-old has not returned to management since his surprise departure from Cameroon in January 2022.

Why NFF cannot hire an elite foreign coach

Sports Brief in another report stated that former Nigeria striker, Julius Aghahowa, has explained why the NFF might struggle to appoint a top-tier coach for the national team.

The former Wigan striker alluded to the federation's financial situation, among other factors.