Nigeria have recently appointed Finidi George as head coach, and we take an in-depth look at who exactly he is and what to expect with him at the helm.
The 53-year-old is being thrown right in the deep end, as the Super Eagles’ next two fixtures are crucial qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
George will be familiar with the current crop of players at his disposal for Nigeria, after he was the assistant coach to Jose Peseiro, who guided the Super Eagles to the final of the recent AFCON.
Success at Ajax
George really made a name for himself while at Eredivisie outfit Ajax, where he joined in 1993 and became a mainstay in a greatly successful side.
The Nigerian won eight major titles with the Dutch side, including the luxurious UEFA Champions League in 1995, so he knows what it takes to win silverware.
Super Eagles legend
George had a successful international playing career, where he featured 62 times and was part of the side that famously won the Nations Cup in 1994.
In the same year, Nigeria featured in a FIFA World Cup for the first time in the USA, and George was also part of this squad, which means he is certainly heading into this role as a fans favourite.
Coaching career
The Nigerian boss made the transition into coaching from playing the game and in 2021 he was appointed as head coach of Enyimba F.C., a successful Nigerian side. He led them to the title in June 2023.
George was an exciting winger in his playing days, and he is expected to bring a new style of play to the Nigerian national team where he can utilise all of the talent on offer.
Success in coaching
Although George has not had a wealth of experience in management, he picked up silverware in 2023 when he guided Enyimba to the Nigeria Premier Football League title.
George will remain at Enyimba for the remainder of the season, as they have six league games left to play and currently sit second place in the standings.
An exciting, rapid winger himself, we can expect George to make the most of the wealth of attacking talent Nigeria possesses, something Peseiro failed to do. That means the likes of Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface will shine under his guidance, as the Super Eagles move into a new era.
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