Nigeria: Former England manager Steve McClaren interested in Super Eagles coaching job

Former England manager Steve McClaren is being considered for the role of head coach for Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng understands.

Nigeria have been searching for a new head coach since Finidi George left the position following disappointing results against South Africa and Benin last month.

The Nigerian Football Federation has shortlisted several candidates for the job.

One of the notable names on the list is Herve Renard, the former coach of Cote d’Ivoire and Zambia, who won the Africa Cup of Nations with both teams.

Steve McClaren has also made it onto the shortlist, as per Score Nigeria.

McClaren’s coaching career began at Oxford United before he moved to Derby County in 1995. In 1999, he joined Manchester United as assistant manager to Sir Alex Ferguson.

He then became the manager of Middlesbrough, leading them to their first major trophy, the League Cup, in 2004, and to the UEFA Cup final in 2006.

McClaren was appointed as England’s manager in 2006 but was dismissed in 2007 after the team failed to qualify for Euro 2008. He then managed Dutch club Twente, winning the Eredivisie championship in 2010.

However, his subsequent stints at VfL Wolfsburg, Nottingham Forest, Derby County, Newcastle United, and Queens Park Rangers were less successful.

McClaren has been part of Erik ten Hag’s backroom coaching staff at Manchester United since 2022.

His experience and track record, though mixed, make him a notable contender for the Super Eagles coaching position. The NFF is expected to make a decision soon.