Former Liberia head coach Roberto Landi has thrown his hat into the ring for the vacant Super Eagles coaching position, the latest twist in the Nigeria Football Federation's (NFF) search for a foreign advisor.
Landi, emphasizing the prestige associated with the role, boldly claimed that even established managers like Massimiliano Allegri and some Serie A coaches would find the Super Eagles job irresistible.
This sentiment highlights the allure of the Nigerian national team, a team not just known for its passionate fanbase but also for its immense pool of talented footballers.
Landi: Allure of Super Eagles irresistible
Landi, a 68-year-old Italian, boasts a diverse coaching career that has spanned continents and age groups.
While his most recent stint as a head coach came with the Liberian national team in 2012, he has extensive experience across various roles, including goalkeeping coach for the US national team in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups.
However, Landi readily admits that the Super Eagles job holds a special allure. “Yes, it's a dream for a coach to train a top senior national team like Nigeria,” he told The Punch.
Landi believes the passion of the Nigerian fans and the undeniable talent pool make the role highly attractive. He went on to state that “even Massimiliano Allegri and some Serie A coaches” would not reject the opportunity, highlighting the prestige associated with managing the Super Eagles.
The NFF's decision to seek a foreign coach stems from the Super Eagles' underwhelming start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Finidi George, who took over from Portuguese boss Jose Peseiro in April, resigned after just two games in charge – a 1-1 draw with South Africa and a concerning 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic.
With Landi expressing his interest, the NFF has a wider pool of candidates to consider. Names like Herve Renard, a two-time AFCON winner with Zambia and Ivory Coast, and Antonio Conceicao, the former Cameroon manager, have also been linked to the job.
