Janne Andersson, a former Sweden manager, is allegedly the leading candidate for the vacant Super Eagles coaching position. Although the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has yet to make an official statement, Score Nigeria sources believe the 61-year-old is in line to take over as manager of Nigeria’s national side.
Andersson, who will leave Sweden in November 2023 after a seven-year career, previously declined an offer from Latvia.
His possible hiring would make him the second Swedish coach to manage the Super Eagles, following in the footsteps of Lars Lagerbäck, who led Nigeria to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Another Swede, Thomas Dennerby, also made his mark in Nigerian football by leading the Super Falcons at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Andersson’s managerial credentials are solid, having led IFK Norrköping to their first Allsvenskan title in 2016, which subsequently earned him the Swedish national team job.
His tenure with Sweden was marked by notable successes, including qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where Sweden advanced to the quarter-finals after topping Group F ahead of South Korea, Mexico, and defending champions Germany. They were eventually knocked out by England.
Despite Sweden’s recent struggles, including missing out on the 2022 World Cup and failing to qualify for Euro 2024, Andersson’s experience and pedigree make him a strong contender to lead the Super Eagles.
Nigeria’s national team is scheduled to face Benin Republic and Rwanda in the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, and Andersson’s appointment could bring a fresh tactical approach to the squad.
