NFF Confirms Labbadia’s Appointment
ABUJA, Nigeria, August 28, 2024 – The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially appointed German tactician Bruno Labbadia as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles. This announcement ends weeks of speculation, which previously linked Herve Renard to the role.
In a statement released on Tuesday, NFF General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi confirmed:
“The NFF Executive Committee has approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee to appoint Mr. Bruno Labbadia as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles.”
Who is Bruno Labbadia?
Coaching Background
- Date of Birth: February 8, 1966
- Coaching Career Began: 2003 (Darmstadt 98)
- Preferred Formation: 4-3-3 Attacking
- Matches Managed: 487
- Wins: 215 | Draws: 101 | Losses: 171
- Average Coaching Term: 1.38 years
Labbadia has managed top European clubs like Hertha Berlin, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Wolfsburg, Hamburger SV, and Bayer Leverkusen. His attacking style of play and tactical discipline have earned him recognition in German football.
Playing Career Highlights
Before coaching, Labbadia was a prolific striker, scoring over 200 career goals for major German clubs, including:
- Bayern Munich – Bundesliga Winner (1993/94)
- Hamburger SV, Werder Bremen, Kaiserslautern, FC Cologne, Arminia Bielefeld, and Karlsruher SC
A German Legacy in Nigerian Football
Labbadia is the sixth German to coach the Super Eagles, following:
- Karl-Heinz Marotzke
- Gottlieb Göller
- Manfred Höner (AFCON 1988 Runner-up)
- Berti Vogts
- Gernot Rohr (Guided Nigeria to the 2018 FIFA World Cup)
Labbadia Rejects the Offer
Despite the announcement, reports emerged that the 56-year-old turned down the offer due to Germany’s stringent tax laws, preventing his full commitment to the Nigerian job.
What’s Next for the Super Eagles?
With Labbadia stepping away, the NFF may need to find another coach ahead of upcoming qualifiers. Will Nigeria pursue another foreign coach or opt for a local tactician?
👉 For more updates on the Super Eagles, visit SoccerVAR
👉 Read more about Labbadia’s coaching career on Bundesliga.com
