Following their failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 16 years, reports suggest that the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has a shortlist of potential candidates to take over from Augustine Eguavoen.
Click through the gallery above to see the shortlist of managers in contention to become the next head coach of the Nigeria national team, according to Goal!
The Super Eagles were eliminated from 2022 World Cup contention when they drew 1-1 with Ghana in their final play-off qualification game to go out via the away goals rule.
A consequence of their inability to qualify for the global showpiece was the resignation of Eguavoen.
The former Nigeria international was in the job for only three months after taking over from German tactician Gernot Rohr, but now, for the second time in a matter of months, the NFF is looking to find a suitable coach for the vacant position.
According to Goal, a number of high-profile European coaches have been mentioned as possible replacements, with former Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde among those under consideration by the Super Eagles chiefs.
The Spaniard has been out of coaching since he was let go by the Catalan giants in January 2020. During his time at the Camp Nou, he was able to capture the LaLiga title on two occasions, a Copa del Rey and a Supercopa de Espana.
A perhaps left-field candidate would be former Netherlands midfielder Phillip Cocu. Although he won the Eredivisie title three times at PSV Eindhoven, a club he played for as well, he has had underwhelming spells at Fenerbahce and Derby County, only managing to accrue about a point a game during his time in Turkey and England.
Laurent Blanc is the only candidate mentioned who has any national team experience, having managed France from 2010 to 2012. He guided Les Bleus to the 2012 UEFA European Championship by topping their qualifying group, form he will hope to replicate with the three-time African champions should he be hired by the NFF.
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There are some local managers in contention as well.
Various reports have suggested that former Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh is interested in returning to lead the West Africans, with Nigeria sports minister for youth and sports development Sunday Dare said to be an admirer of the defensive midfielder-turned-coach, while there has also been mention of Emmanuel Amuneke and Daniel Amokachi, two Super Eagles legends.
Here are 10 African legends who sadly never played at a FIFA World Cup:
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