As first called by ScoreNigeria 61 year old Swede coach Janne Andersson has confirmed that he is in talks with the Nigeria Football Federation to take over as coach of the senior national team of Nigeria, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Andersson, 61, is a strong candidate to take over as Nigeria’s national team coach replacing Finidi George, who left his role as coach two months ago after a disappointing performance in the world cup qualifiers games against South Africa and Benin Republic respectively.
“I can confirm that I have had a dialogue with the Nigerian Football Federation,” he told *Expressen*.
The coach who handled Sweden for seven years has been without a coaching job since he left the Swedish national team last November. He is now reportedly the favourite for the Nigerian job, although two times AFCON winner Herve Renard is also in the mix.
Whatever happens, the coach said he is happy to be considered for the role because of the reputation of Nigeria in the world of football.
“I can confirm that I have had a dialogue with the Nigerian Football Federation. Nigeria is a huge football nation, so I am incredibly flattered to be considered for the role of their next national coach. Discussions are ongoing, and I don’t want to say much more than that,” he said, adding:
“I’ve been in this industry long enough to know that things can happen in different ways. So we’ll see what happens moving forward. Nothing is finalized at this point. We’ll see.”
Despite his excitement reports of a running contract with a media firm means he won’t be available for Nigeria till the end of September, meaning he won’t be on the dugout against Benin Republic and Rwanda respectively if he eventually gets the job, he remained coy on the situation.
” There’s no connection. It was never planned to happen now. I’m very flattered by the contact, and we’ll see where it leads. The trip itself doesn’t prevent me from taking on the role,” Andersson said.
On if he will be available to take up the Super Eagles role while on vacation in the Atlantic the coach said he will rather leave his options open until he is contacted. “We’ll see, haha. It will work out”.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
