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Nigeria pick Lars Lagerback

Nigeria pick Lagerback

Posted: 2010-02-27 08:08

Nigeria have picked Swede Lars Lagerback and signed him on an initial 5-month deal to take the Super Eagles to the World Cup in South Africa later this year.

Lagerback, who coached his native Sweden for nine years, was picked ahead of fellow Swede Sven Goran Eriksson, Englishman Glen Hoddle, Serb Ratomir Djukovic and Frenchman Bruno Metsu.

He will be assisted by Austin Eguavoen, Daniel Amokachi and Alloy Agu as Nigerian assistants.

The Swede was the last of the five candidates to arrive Abuja and was interviewed on Friday afternoon.

NFF official Tunde Aderibigbe told KickOffNigeria.com that Lagerback both surprised and impressed the NFF's selection panel not only with his deep understanding of Nigerian football and its problems, but also with the solutions he provided to tackle the issues.

"He broke down and analysed the Nigerian team, and analysed the players from as far back as 2002 when Sweden met Nigeria at the World Cup, to the current team and players.

"He went on to identify the problems with Nigerian football and set out specific ideas for solving the problems,

"And then he set specific targets and timelines to meet those targets. His presentation was brilliant and showed that he came prepared.

"The panel were surprised at his knowledge and impressed at his delivery."

The executive committee of the Nigeria Football Association subsequently went into an eight-hour meeting before announcing Lagerback as the new coach.

Lagerback started his international coaching career at cadet level with the Swedish football Association in 1990, before taking over the B national team in 1996.

In 1998, he was picked as assistant coach for the A team by Tommy Soderberg and promoted to co-coach in 2000. In 2004, he was given full responsibility when Soderberg left to manage the Under 21 team.

During his time, Sweden qualified for an unprecedented five major championships.

He resigned as manager in 2009 after Sweden's failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

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Chidi: 2010-02-27 08:16

hehehehe! Whats going on? What is the basis of chosing this guy? did he accept 150k per month? can someone explain plsss

Heavy: 2010-02-27 08:17

This choice makes sense but can only be complete with Siasia in the interest of development. Amodu and his clique please steer clear.

George: 2010-02-27 08:21

@Chidi, I think we need to begin to learn to change stance. I dont understand this your comment. Let us accept the choice, at least for now, for none of us was there during the interview. They dont have to tell us the criteria. We asked for Foreign coach, we get one. Period. Like Heavy said, it would make sense if SiaSia is Paired with him and Oliseh as assistants. Lets talk onward positively at least for our own good. Good Luck Lagerback. The last shall be the first.

George: 2010-02-27 08:38

@Chidi, I think we need to begin to learn to change stance. I dont understand this your comment. Let us accept the choice, at least for now, for none of us was there during the interview. They dont have to tell us the criteria. We asked for Foreign coach, we get one. Period. Like Heavy said, it would make sense if SiaSia is Paired with him and Oliseh as assistants. Lets talk onward positively at least for our own good. Good Luck Lagerback. The last shall be the first.

Chidi: 2010-02-27 08:47

Thank u George, i am not actually againt this man just that we were initially told that the race is now between hoddle and metsu and suddenly laerback was picked its really a big suprise to me. however Siasia as his assitant will make sense
Up eagles

ejay: 2010-02-27 09:00

one again. they have put smiles on the fan's faces. reminds me of Bora's era..haha.. history never fails..

and what happens after 5 months? no one is asking now.. short sighted people

Kerewa: 2010-02-27 09:00

I don show again, All the those that live by faith.I hail una. I have been sitting on the fence just watching the rat race since the great Amodu was removed. @Billion, Ken ghadaffi, original. I hail Una. Well the LULU HOUSE OF CONFUSION has finally chosen someone. Well the guy has a good pedigree. with respect to the pedigree of the players in the sweede team during his tenure and how he maximised their potentials. belives in a lot of creativity in the midfield. I guess we will be looking at Mikel sitting back fully in his club position and Haruna lukman, Rabiu ibrahim and Emma Ekpo having a shot in the SE. Well he is welcome. Its a good choice to me. They should also try and attach SIASI/RUFAI with Oliseh as the Cordinator. We may not have a fantastic team immediately but the team at least have formation.
Kudos to NFF or PTF whoever chose him. My heart has always been with this man.
But forumites, Wahala go dey oh. many ppl name go dissapear from SE considering the emphasis this man lays on creativity of players.

Olofin, yakubu, nwaneri,yusuf, u guys are in trouble.

THE JUST SHALL TRULY LIVE BY FAITH.

I REST MY CASE

ejay: 2010-02-27 09:03

looking a this man's records, the only reason I can see that he was picked is, he is foreign.

stdennis: 2010-02-27 09:03

WHAT A SURPRISE! Nobody expected him 2be chosen at all. We ve got no choice but 2accept NFA's decision, though, I stil fault their style. They must com out and tel us why and how they arrived at his surprisin-choice. I remember he was in charge of Sweden alongside solderbag wen they beat us in Korea/ Japan, but I know little about him. Sweden ve above average players(just lik Nigeria) but they re always highly rated in competitions and play good football. I WISH HIM ALL THE BEST.

ejay: 2010-02-27 09:05

what are his records? what championships has he won? how much does he know about african football, not to talk of Nigerian? questions questions

ejay: 2010-02-27 09:08

i love soccer.. and i love entertainment football.. but what we need now is results. this is not to right off this man. but we demand the reasons behind NFF's decision.

stdennis: 2010-02-27 09:10

Pls, tel these people to name his assistant now. If Sia1 is not there,den it is not yet uhuru. If the Reports dat he ll be assisted by Amokachi and Eguaveon is true, den NFF can neva learnt from their mistakes.

ejay: 2010-02-27 09:10

and did he coach Sweden for good 6 years.. I hope he gets that much time if he is to bring his enterprising football to Nigeria..lol.. DREAMERS

Udoinyang: 2010-02-27 09:21

Lars,please come with your own crew,entirely new set up. Invoke your deaf ears,pick your team,go to the world with even an unknown 23 that is young and hungry,then we will see if Nigeria won't shake the World in South Africa...

carl benz : 2010-02-27 10:00

wat do mean by 5 mnth.only. is dis anoda berti vort.i pity n pray 4 my on ce great NAIJA

chijioke: 2010-02-27 10:02

good but one thing is that we do not need a shot term coache.we needed a man that can be with se for at least 5years in other to build up his talent.this type of contrat is fraud to our nation bcos that is not what we need from the nff.so be it,if our dearly nff boss don't need siasia as head coache pls let him be the assitant coache to this man picked.remain blessed,GODloves u all.

sam onuche : 2010-02-27 10:08

i hope his back will be large enough to accomodate the demands of the super eagles as well as the expectations on nigerians.we look 4wd to seeing the magik he intends to do in this so short a time

lurdmanny : 2010-02-27 10:09

well the wish of the nigerians have been done but can you satisfy them? NO can you hear some1 calling for siasia to be the assistant? why cannt you leave him and let him do is job himself. did he know our players? i think that should have been part of the interview.so we dont need to suggest anything for him. my question is WHY 5 MONTH? what happens after world cup? let us loog at the long term

ken gadaffi: 2010-02-27 10:10

"The first shall be the last and the last shall be the first"

This man was the last to be interviewed and was eventually picked. What a irony. His names sounds like "Star Lager beer" I hope he will turn the Super Eagles into a star team.

For the sake of our country, I will solicit that we all stand behind the new TA and give him a breathing space to get down to work. The time might be short but nothing is impossible. Lets keep the faith flying. @dozie, welcome to the faith gang.


THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

nelson: 2010-02-27 10:11

some one that fails to qualify replace another who qualified his nation such is life,well,you are welcome to the land of unsatisfy citizens.i pray for your success in world cup first of all,but i will not accept any excuses in case of otherwise.my only concern is why 5 months contract?the thruth be told,amodu's had been used a sacrifice ram by lulu and co for august election coming in 5 months that's the logic of 5 months contract of lars.i hope every one is ok now?i am back again!!!





nelson4u.

lurdmanny : 2010-02-27 10:21

well the wish of the nigerians have been done but can you satisfy them? NO can you hear some1 calling for siasia to be the assistant? why cannt you leave him and let him do is job himself. did he know our players? i think that should have been part of the interview.so we dont need to suggest anything for him. my question is WHY 5 MONTH? what happens after world cup? let us loog at the long term

adebola: 2010-02-27 10:26

Time to support the eagles folks. we all had different opinions but it really does not matter anymore. we all need to get behind our team but knowing our people we just need to lose a match before wahala starts again

Bona: 2010-02-27 10:42

Guys let us stop all these unnecessary Criticism and support whoever NFF has picked, time is no more on our side for all these debates.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

shaun: 2010-02-27 10:43

@Uche SPAin,i think you told me to **** off when i firstly passed this message.... Pls grow up and stop insulting pple when you are not sured of something.

Sly : 2010-02-27 10:51

Wonders shall never end.let wait nd see,d drama is abt 2be unfold.So wats d way forward!.maybe later dey will now tell us their agreement with him.SE must do well in d world cup.NFF shld tell us d criteria dey used in selecting of lar 2odas.May God help us.

Billion: 2010-02-27 11:15

Forumites, I wish the SE all the best and pray it will be the sign of great things to come in our football. However, I'll like to note that this man stayed with sweden for 9years but here he's signed on for 5months. Anything and can happen, the just still live by faith and I always believe in miracles. Nigeria will go beyond the second round into the quarter finals in the world cup.

Billion: 2010-02-27 11:17

@Dozie, I feel you.

Jide: 2010-02-27 11:29

I had secretly hoped Erickson was given the job because of his records but I guess half a loaf here is better than none.
Good luck Lars.

monday: 2010-02-27 11:45

Egbogu.

My dear people, at let least rejoice small that they have finally appointed a foriegn coach,let forget who is the person but give him our ultimate support and let continue pushing then to also appoint Siasia and olisa in the technical crew,i think it will be very wonderful, and i thank our fans here for there good attitude in the new coach, but my guestion is why 5months, there plan is as usual,if he did not do well in the world, they will sack him like others,while not pick a coach once and give him enough time to work,tommorow now they will talking about hiring a foriegn coach, is a pity.So my dear people let not talking until the whole system is overhaul.
May God help us.

kayode: 2010-02-27 12:00

lets all be honest n realistic for 1ce plz..i'v been a close admirer of d swedish national team since 2002 wen i discovad d combo arrangmnt of tommy soderberg n lars laggerberg..they'v performd creditably well considerin d resources they'v had 2 work wif in d swedish national team(mostly jst above average players).i personaly prefa a coach lik ds wu has handled average players n obviously had a beta chanc of harnessing our rather non-1st class footballin resources.i disagree wif pple sayin its between ds coach n dat coach simply bcos its not a campaign-election tin but a presentation-appointmnt tin..4rm wat d nff claim, he proposed d most realistic n positive ideas n way forward so lets jst stick wif him.anyday, i'l hv wished samson siasia was in dt crew bt we all kno why dey wont let him.we nid to be constructiv in our critism plz.i feel u guyz, i preciate ur passion,concern and enthusiasm.wateva hapens, we all luv nigeria n dt was obvious wen we qualified 4 d world cup and plz lets be a lile more cautious and show mutual respect 4 co-forumites.y'all hv a pleasant wknd

etibensi: 2010-02-27 12:00

Stupid NFF,the guy will just use Nigeria to go to the world cup,collect his money and gone in 5months.Will any of those guys have applied for the job during the qualifiers?Offcourse big No.Very unfair on Amodu.Second time this is being done to him.Does all the hard work then what next.Does the NFF think long term.What happens after the 5 Months.

Richard: 2010-02-27 12:01

We were early told Hoddle dazzled the panel at the interview that someone on the panel had to clap for him, now this man came to the interview last and supposedly got the job when it was apparent the job was between Hoddle and Metsu. Maybe if another coach had opportunity to come afetr him for the interview, he would have showed the panel a computer game of how nigeria will play to win the world cup - LOL. My take is our much anticipated development may take a back seat again because the panel could not settle because of ego between Hoddle and Metsu and a neutral but not necessarily the best candidate must have been chosen. Anyway, my total support for Largerback because he has experience and knowledge of football; i also think he's a stern disciplinarian which is one thing our team needs. My advise to the forum, let us give him our support and don't put him under pressure. If he doesn't choose Siasia, either Eguavon and Amokachi as rumoured will not be bad because they all know the players also; they will not be there to do the job but to carry out his instruction, for them to help him identify players should not be a difficult job for the two gentlemen. Siasia or Amodu will be a distraction to the new man; we all know Siasia's ambition to coach the senior team; his apologist will make us believe he's the one doing the job and that will bring friction and pressure from day one, leaving Siasia out will not be a bad idea; let him continue with the U20 and Olympic team to gain more experience. As for Amodu's, no need to even begin to say anything about including him in the technical crew.

IceQueen: 2010-02-27 12:13

LOL!!!

ade: 2010-02-27 12:23

Richard you are spot on.....lol

Victor: 2010-02-27 12:25

Amodu And The 'Evil Genius' In Nigerian Football

All eyes were focused on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday for the naming of a foreign technical adviser for the Super Eagles. However, the call to retain Shaibu Amodu also heightened, as football buffs believe that the coach gave his best to the team even though the NFF, Presidential Task Force (PTF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) failed to honour their part of the agreement entered with Amodu. GOWON AKPODONOR and KAMAL TAYO OROPO write that the achievement of Amodu should have been considered before he was relieved of his duty arguing that the decision to edge out Amodu by managers of Nigerian football would pose a great danger, especially to qualified indigenous coaches, who may find it difficult to believe in contracts signed with the NFF or the NSC in time to come.

One man who is not happy with the decision to hire a foreign technical adviser is the Executive Director of Cable Soccer Academy, Coach Edwin Onovwotafe. He based his conviction on the fact that Amodu did his best despite the unfair treatment he got from those running football in the country. He told The Guardian from his base in Delta State that the nation had no business hiring a foreign coach for the South Africa 2010 World Cup.

"To me, the man (Amodu) should be one of the country's major export, after the Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka. Sincerely speaking, Amodu should have the highest award available in the country. He should be walking tall on the streets, giving talks at seminars and be feted by government and non-governmental agencies. He is a man the Minister of Information and Communication, Prof. Dora Akunyili should have adopted as a goodwill ambassador for the

Re-brand Nigeria project.

"I am saying this because of what is likely to happen to our football in the nearest future. It is very surprising that a man could achieve so much for his fatherland and yet the people that are supposed to be praising him are the ones perpetually seeking to paint him a failure. This is sad. It is against all logics known to man. I don't know Amodu as a person, but in this game of football, it is the results that count. This is a man who met all the targets set in his contract. He was asked to qualify Nigeria for the World Cup and take the Super Eagles to the semi-final of the Nations Cup in Angola. He met the targets, yet some people have tagged him a failure. What are the yardsticks used?" Onovwotafe queried.

Speaking further, the National Institute for Sports (NIS) graduate said: "If half of those privileged to lead the affairs of the country in one capacity or the other manage to achieve the same success like Amodu, the country, apparently, will not be in this sorry state it has found itself.

"It is indeed very rare to find another Nigerian, not even dealers turned leaders, who has succeeded in retarding the nation's growth, so much vilified by the 'public' as Amodu. Yet, here is a man whose job had always been on the line the very first day he was employed. The powers that be in the Nigerian football and so-called public commentators appeared to pray for the failure of Amodu anytime his wards filed out for a game. People openly, on radio and television, prayed for the Super Eagles to lose so that Amodu could be declared a failure. But God has always granted the man favour. To me, Amodu is the most successful coach in the country.

He continued: "On matters of colorfulness, flamboyancy and showmanship, Coach Amodu may score abysmally low, but when it comes to delivering the good, no Nigerian, dead or alive, rivals him. It is true that he has never won a Nations Cup, but then, no Nigerian coach has. But what he lacks in Nations Cup triumphs, he has done twice in qualifying the country for the World Cup," he said.

Before leading the Super Eagles to the Angola 2010 Nations Cup, Amodu had prosecuted 30 competitive games as Head Coach of the national team, out of which he lost just once. That was the Mali 2002 Nations Cup, when Amodu's Super Eagles lost 1-2 to their Senegalese counterparts.

In that year's edition of the Nations Cup, the Super Eagles did not concede any goal until that semi-final clash with Senegal. The Super Eagles went ahead to beat the host, Mali to clinch the bronze medal in the third place match.

The emergence of Amodu as coach of the Super Eagles to Mali 2002 Nations Cup was by circumstances, as the man was originally contracted to handle Super Eagles Team B, comprising of only home-based footballers. He was given the mandate to guide the team through the 2002 Nations Cup qualifiers. As at that time, qualifying matches for Nations Cup were played differently from that the World Cup, unlike now when both a lumped together.

Then, the man in-charge of the Super Eagles Team A, which comprises of foreign-based stars, was Dutchman, Jo Bonfrere. His task was to qualify the country for the Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup. This period coincided with the time when Nigerian football prowess was at its peak, as many Nigerian footballers were short listed year in year out in the top ten ranking of Africa's Footballer of the year. When the list of ten is released, at least six Nigerians often made the list. Then, Nigeria had appeared in two previous World Cups and made it to the second round. The players were much more matured and had a realistic dream of getting to at least, the semi final of the World Cup.

However, while the foreign coach (Bonfrere), with his array of international stars, was busy losing to war-devastated countries like Liberia (1-2) in Monrovia and Sierra Leone (0-1) in Freetown, indigenous coach (Amodu), with local legions, won all his qualifiers without dropping a point.

When it became apparent that Bonfrere was not going to make it to the World Cup, a majority of Nigerians called for a change of guard. Their thinking then it was a big waste paying through the nose to keep a failed Bonfrere in the saddle. They reasoned that Amodu, who had already finished his task, should mop up the remaining World Cup qualifiers. So, entered Amodu.

By the time he took over from the 'foreign technical adviser', Nigeria was trailing group leader, Liberia and needed a miracle to qualify for the 2002 World Cup. Nigerians were praying for Ghana to beat Liberia in Freetown, having lost at home in Accra earlier. But to achieve it, Amodu's led Super Eagles must win all its remaining games.

The rest is history. Amodu did not just guide the team to the 2002 World Cup, but led the Eagles to beat Sudan 4-0 in Ombudsman before recording a 2-0 victory over Ghana and posting a 3-0 victory over Liberia 3-0 along the way. Of all the teams in the group, Sierra Leone's case was the most hopeless, followed by that of Ghana, while Sudan and Liberia had strong chances of qualification.

So, the talk of possible 'mobilisation' of other countries to 'drop' for Nigeria's qualification may not be entirely strong. Besides, every member of the international system at one time or the other plays international politicking. As in Angola 2010, where Amodu's Super Eagles had to compete for honours in the Nations Cup before the World Cup, so it was in 2002.

Then, Nigerian football had so much risen in international pedigree that emphasis was no more at winning the Nations Cup, but posting a respectable appearance in the World Cup. That was the thinking in the heads of some of the players as captured by George Finidi, who was once voted as the best winger in the world ahead of Portugal's Figo, Spain's Raul and England's David Beckham. Finidi said: "At our level now, our concentration is on the World Cup. The Nations Cup is just like a dress-rehearsal."

Before the Mali 2002 Nations Cup, some incidences happened, which may have affected the team's preparation. Worthy of mention was the events leading to the boycott of a Nigeria versus Egypt friendly match, which the Super Eagles players masterminded in protest against salary arrears being owed coach Amodu by the football authority. Consequent upon this saga, the authority eventually paid the six-month salary it owed Amodu and the team went for the Nations Cup competition. It was the beginning of trouble for Amodu.

In Mali, the team went about its business, topping its group ahead of the host. But on the eve of quarter-final clash with Ghana Black Stars, a Sport Ministry official walked on to the team's skipper, Sunday Oliseh, requesting him to prevail on his colleagues to accept a cut in their winning bonuses. His reason: "You guys are not playing well", not minding that team had not lost a match or even concede a goal.

Oliseh refused and reportedly asked the official, who is now a key figure in the NSC what he won for the country during his (the official) football playing days. The captain was branded 'indiscipline' and subsequent displacement from the World Cup team alongside Finidi George and other key players. But some other players 'swallowed' their prides and played along for personal reasons.

There was another tale of how coach Amodu threw into waste bins a piece of paper containing names players said to have been sent by Coach Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, directing Amodu to use for a particular game. There was another story in Mali of how Amodu pitched his tent with his players against the sport authority.

As it was at the just concluded Nations Cup in Angola, where Amodu's bronze effort was reduced to ashes and eventually threw out of the World Cup train, so it was in Mali 2002. Onigbinde, with his 'sweet talk,' was handed the coaching job for the World, but what happened in Japan/Korea? Nigeria had its most disastrous World Cup appearance, losing 0-1 to Argentina, 1-2 to Sweden before managing to draw 0-0 with England.

As if under the influence of a course, the country could not also repeat Amodu's 2002 feat in Germany 2006 World Cup qualifiers with only Angola as the strongest team in the group. And even with foreign technical adviser, Berti Vogts, the country could not go beyond the quarterfinals at the 2008 Nations Cup appearance in Ghana.

As the case in 2002, the nation again ran to Amodu for the South Africa 2010 World Cup qualifiers and like a man anointed with spirit of success, he came and delivered again. The prosecution was not smooth, but Nigeria was able to grab the ticket ahead of Tunisia, which was in a better position of sealing through.

Again, there were talks of 'mobilising' some countries to 'drop' for Nigeria to qualify. That again was a complete hogwash, as it was quite obvious that Kenya, Mozambique and Tunisia were all in position of making something much more than the 'Nigerian money' could offer them.

Amodu went to Angola with 60 percent of the players playing at that level for the first time and with injuries worries for the team experienced legs. Besides, if the truth must be told, Nigeria football is no more what it used to be in the 1990s and early 2000s. Today, the domestic league is dominated by players, who have traveled everywhere in the world seeking to play for even 3rd division club sides without luck. They are more like stranded players in Nigeria, who only have their legs in the country but their hearts outside the country. Even those playing abroad are not like the ones in the 1990s. The Aiyegbenis, Martins, Olofinjanas, Yobo, Mikel and so on, though still our best, are, however, at best average players in global ratings. Today, the name of Nigerian player is hardly found in a list of 20 African footballer of the year.

Any coach that takes such average and mediocre players to clinch a World Cup ticket and a Nations Cup bronze, where Cameroon, Cote D'Ivoire and Mali (countries with better quality players in their folds) could not progress beyond the quarter final, deserves not only respect from rational and legal minds, but also a hero status.

To coach Onovwotafe, the Super Eagles may have played 'badly' in Angola, but: "In the game of football, it is better to play badly and win instead of playing beautiful football like some clubs in England and win nothing? Zambia played better than Nigeria in the quarterfinal, but lost. Nigeria played better than Ghana in the semi-final, but lost.

"That our people could even seek to replace Amodu with foreigners, who have failed in similar task of qualifying their respective countries for the World Cup is what I cannot understand. For me, this is pure wickedness on the part of our administrators. Look at the amount of money being wasted in looking for the replacement. I read on pages of newspapers the other day that some football officials went to London to interface with foreign coaches. I think such wasteful trip should deserve the intervention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Since this search for foreign technical adviser began, how much insult has the country stomached from these foreign coaches and at what financial cost? What kind of a people are we?" Onovwotafe quarried.

He was not alone, as former Super Eagles defender, Efe Sodje, has equally harped on the need to avoid the circumstances, which led to the Eagles' poor outing at the World Cup in Japan/Korea eight years ago.

The Eagles crashed out of the group stage at the Korea/Japan World Cup in 2002 and critics blamed late change of coaches for the woeful performance.

Coach Amodu, who helped the team qualify for that World Cup, was dropped for coach Adegboye Onigbinde a few months to the World Cup and Sodje, a member of that squad, fear the present Eagles may suffer a similar fate.

The NFF, in its search for a foreign manager for the Eagles, had interviewed coaches Glen Hoddle, Bruno Metsu and Ratomir Dujkovic but Sodje believes the chosen coach can only succeed with the right conditions of service and support from Nigerians.

Also, former Green Eagles player, Ifeanyi Onyedika, faulted the ideal of hiring of a foreign coach for the Super Eagles, saying the action was a belated one by the NFF.

Though, Onyedika said that he was not against the engagement of a foreign coach for the team, but said that he would have preferred a situation whereby the NFF had sealed the deal months before the Nations Cup in Angola.

"It is sad that our administrators are not seeing things the way they are," the Wikki Tourists coach said. "We have about three months to the World Cup and we are just naming a coach. The NFF should look at a long-term deal with the new coach instead of just planning for the World Cup. I don't see the coach performing magic with the team in South Africa.

"Amodu should have been left in charge to continue with what he started. He led the team to qualify for the tournament, a feat many top coaches around the world could not accomplish. The problem of the Eagles is not about coaching but the attitude of the players. If the players are in their right element, they will do well in any competition.

"The foreign coach will have to start from the beginning learning how to deal with the players while he also searches for those who are fit to be in the team. The time is just too short for a foreign coach to do all these," Onyedika warned.

kabiyesi: 2010-02-27 12:26

Frankly Lars Lagerback is the best among the coaches that came for the interview. This is the best decision NFF has made in a while.

collins: 2010-02-27 12:27

now we have won the worlrd cup with this first class coach,just 90 days to select and transform them to win world cup.where are all those amodu's critics?you must be sure of winning world cuo now.

collins: 2010-02-27 12:29

cup

James Omoleye : 2010-02-27 12:34

Never really in support of sacking Amodu but what else can we do than keep our fingers crossed & hope for the best in d next 5 months FORZA SUPER EAGLES!

Daniel: 2010-02-27 12:37

This is one good move for Nigerian football. I think the NFF did very well here by appointing Lagerback as the new coach of the SE. One fact we should all understand is that there are basic principles and criteria used by recruiters to determine the right candidate suitable for any given role especially, when conducting an interview. Suitable candidates are not always chosen based on their pedigree or richly high-profiled C.V but, it sometimes comes to the in-depth knowledge, technical ability and understanding of the game/job of a candidate and knowing his responsibilities for the position in question and being self motivated driven to work well confidently under pressure with minimal supervision for your employers. I for one believe that's what somehow counts. Lagerback is the man! Watch this space.

ade: 2010-02-27 12:38

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Daniel: 2010-02-27 12:41

This is one good move for Nigerian football. I think the NFF did very well here by appointing Lagerback as the new coach of the SE. One fact we should all understand is that there are basic principles and criteria used by recruiters to determine the right candidate suitable for any given role especially, when conducting an interview. Suitable candidates are not always chosen based on their pedigree or richly high-profiled C.V but, it sometimes comes to the in-depth knowledge, technical ability and understanding of the game/job of a candidate and knowing his responsibilities for the position in question and being self motivated driven to work well confidently under pressure with minimal supervision for your employers. I for one believe that's what somehow counts. Lagerback is the man! Watch this space.

Adams: 2010-02-27 12:42

We should learn how to glorify God rather than to be criticising whatever step our leaders takes. most of you wanted Amodu sacked which the NFF have done and have so far replace"d him with a more experienced lagerback, for God's sake what else do you people want? or we should have singed Mourinho, Feguson and wenger to jointly coach us?.

Daniel: 2010-02-27 12:43

This is one good move for Nigerian football. I think the NFF did very well here by appointing Lagerback as the new coach of the SE. One fact we should all understand is that there are basic principles and criteria used by recruiters to determine the right candidate suitable for any given role especially, when conducting an interview. Suitable candidates are not always chosen based on their pedigree or richly high-profiled C.V but, it sometimes comes to the in-depth knowledge, technical ability and understanding of the game/job of a candidate and knowing his responsibilities for the position in question and being self motivated driven to work well confidently under pressure with minimal supervision for your employers. I for one believe that's what somehow counts. Lagerback is the man! Watch this space.

ken gadaffi: 2010-02-27 12:44

@lurdmany,Nelson4u,Billion,Icequeen,adebola, and all those who had kept faith with the SUPER Eagles during the tough times, Its good to have you guys back. @kunle,@johnson,mega,Oscar,kolawole,okey and all those other AMODU critics I hail o o .
Now we have a new TA, I am sure his appointment cannot go down well with all, but for the sake of a new beginning and succes of the SUPER eagles, we all should bury the hatchet and proffer the way forward.

The NFF for once have conducted an interview which seems transparent but might not be flawless. However we cannot continue to flog issues at this late hour. Its less than 90 days to the world cup, surely we can still surprise the world given the abundant talents that abound in the country if only we believe we can do it and work towards it.

The new coach should get down to business quickly and all hands must be on deck to ensure we succeed at the mundial.

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

ade: 2010-02-27 12:45

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seyi: 2010-02-27 12:46

Thank God we have a coach now, but I don't expect us to do well at the world cup, I still think Amodu is the right man to lead us to the world cup, what an injustice to Amodu and the people around him, the new coach was appointed because of his skin color, have we tried to ask ou

seyi: 2010-02-27 12:49

Thank God we have a coach now, but I don't expect us to do well at the world cup, I still think Amodu is the right man to lead us to the world cup, what an injustice to Amodu and the people around him, the new coach was appointed because of his skin color, have we tried to ask ourselves, if it was a white coach that qualified us for the world cup will he be sacked? God is looking at our NFF.

r.baggio: 2010-02-27 12:55

9ja I hailed thee. some formulates don`t even read the whole story before commenting. people should read the news first and digest it before commenting. anyway I think the NFF have chosen the best man for the job. i had a sentimental attachment to Glen Hoddles because of the way i know his team plays football. all his team plays the jogo bonito Brazilian creative attacking football but the man have been out of management for over 5 years and it`s not a good sign if he was appointed S.E coach. Metsu and Ericksson we all know r mercenaries and were only in it for the money and in my own opinion not competent or good enough for the Eagles. where as Lars Lagerback is a disciplined tactician who base his management down to little details and achieves result. I think he should be given a four years contract after the world cup. as for his assistance i think its a masterstroke from the NFF in appointing Eguavon and "The bull" Amokachi. appointing Siasia would have been costly and disruptive to the team. Siasia`s time will come After the world cup if after reviewing Lars performance and NFF found him short or not satisfactory. but if the team where to perform very well at the world cup then they should continue and Siasia should then made to wait for his time. thats my own personal opinion.. thank u dear formalities........

seyi: 2010-02-27 12:57

Amodu will never go to a world cup even if he qualify us a 100 times, he has too many enemies in the NFF, they started in 2002 by taking his place at the world cup and they are still there directing the affair though not as a world cup coach this time but to stop Amodu from going to the world cup, Chief they call them.

Ola: 2010-02-27 13:07

Pld Nigerians, lets be objective for once,I think this man choice is not really bad, considering his record with sweden, he is a good coach. NFF well done. Eguavon as his assistant is not bad either, due to the fact that he also an attacking minded coach,(remember ACN 2006) just like Largerback. The only error here is the inclusion of Amokachi, but I thought that was because total overhaul of the former coaching crew wont be that good, and he also a good witness to what went wrong in Angola. In all, its a good combination, but how i wish Siasia is part of them!

Mex: 2010-02-27 13:10

For me if Lagerback is their choice, no problems. But what I cannot understand is the choice of Eguavoen. Must we always move backwards every time? What is the rationale for the inclusion of Eguavoen? I have never been an admirer of Amodu but instead of bringing in Eguavoen as an assistant, I think it's fair to allow Amodu to assist Lagerback. Even if it is just for the opportunity to reap from his labour.

peter: 2010-02-27 13:15

I think this guy is a good choice. I also believe that he will be good for long term contract considering his past experiences of working at different levels of swedish football. Above all he is a disciplinarian. If someone can bench Ibrahimovich, then here comes the right man. However I don't expect him to reach the semifinals with the SE at the world cup. But by any means he is better than Amodu for several reasons.
1. He will bring discipline into the team.
2. There certainly will be no automatic shirt.
3. He will bring in creative midfilders
4. He has more experience than Amodu at the level of world cup
5. He will be respected by other coaches and the officials.

Guys, let's support this man and our darling SE. To those who are still sour about Amodu, please forgive us and move on. He was not meant to be.

Brown: 2010-02-27 13:28

Booting Amodu from the technical crew is sacrilage! I am not and has never been a huge fan of Amodu's, but for God's sake, he qualified Nigeria for the World Cup and reached the set target - and beyond - at the Nations Cup. Why was he left out of the group? As far as I'm concerned, Amokachi has nothing doing in that group. Amodu and Eguavon would do. You remember Japan/Korea 2002? De-ja-vu!

r.baggio: 2010-02-27 13:33

@ Okey

I found the video very interesting and educative to watch and i think Hodson`s own is very good as well

Dieter: 2010-02-27 13:34

1. I am so happy that we didnt pick a no name white loser from europe!

2. The coaching-squad is good! Eguavoen is good and the bull must also be good, cause they picked him again.

3. This is not the first time that we have good coaches. For me Amodu, Voigts.. were good!

4.What can we expect from him? The answer is nothing in 90 days!

5.We all know that politician are the ones responsible for bringing him in!! Will this Politians let him do his work??

Dieter: 2010-02-27 13:41

This is alos very important!!

..We have a good Team! Our new coach should only make 1or2 changes.
The reason our team failed in angola was not because they were bad it was because the pressure was too much!!!!!

Dieter: 2010-02-27 13:42

@Brown:
People like you and me are the minority in our country, allways think of what i told you!

Clovis: 2010-02-27 14:57

Thanks NFF for taking this stand. Now we have to live with this choice for the duration of his time. Lagerback's record or wins is not the issue. He is SE Head Coach. We, Nigerians and SE Fans all over the world, need to support him and pray for a good outing at WC for SE.
NFF, why not let him pick his own assistants from our former SE players and coaches if he has deep knowledge of Nigerian football. I will be convinced of his deep knowledge of SE and Nigerian football if you have stated that he specifically requested his assistants by name. Instead I read this from your announcement "He will be assisted by Austin Eguavoen, Daniel Amokachi and Alloy Agu as Nigerian assistants". NFF, learn to hands-off coaches and their selection method. Too much interference, subsequently you are stifling the coache's creativity and progress with SE.

Birikiti: 2010-02-27 14:58

@Okey,

The videos are good; they show the man has it upstairs(so do Siasia & Kalika). Let's hope he can translate it the pitch & the boys execute exactly what he says.
I find the Swedish formation particularly interesting. Though it is 4-4-2, it is also a variant of4-1-3-2. Check it out & hear Lagerback's breakdown; this formation will suit Nigeria perfectly

James: 2010-02-27 15:17

Lets support the coach. I believe we would get to the quarter final

sleek: 2010-02-27 16:30

I know this swede can make some difference. Swedes are known to be very strict people, you can see that from their Volvo product! Strong and rugged!! But the only way he can really make a difference is to bring in lots of young guys from the Olympic team to the last Under 21! I don't like the mention of Amokachi in the crew, he was there with Amodu and couldn't change anything. Since Eguavon left, he has been attending coaching courses to freshen up. I think he is a good choice.

Sam: 2010-02-27 17:40

I would have liked Siasia in the technical staff instead of Amokachi. I like Eguavoen in the 2006 African Nations Cup he tried but as usual our penchant for white people led to him being removed for Berti 'Goat' Vogts. I hope Lagerback can help us out but my problem is after these 5 months who is going to take over, a Nigerian or another foreigner?

Sam: 2010-02-27 18:57

Just found this clip on Youtube about Lars Lagerback, it seems he doesn't like short goalkeepers so does that mean Vincent 'The Cat' Enyeama will be replaced by Ejide or someone else?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbn7vA5SPc4

Sam: 2010-02-27 18:58

Just found this clip on Youtube about Lars Lagerback, it seems he doesn't like short goalkeepers so does that mean Vincent 'The Cat' Enyeama will be replaced by Ejide or someone else?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbn7vA5SPc4

mike: 2010-02-27 20:10

Let's take note of all those praising NFF now for hiring Lagerback, for they would be the first to call NFF names tomorrow when Lagerback fails to go past the first round in SA with the Eagles. Let's not be fooled, if this man was that good he would not be coming to Africa to look for his daily bread. We must learn to look inwards for solutions to some of our problems. Knowledge they say is not an exclusive preserve of only one race, and that includes football.
Akpobome

ken gadaffi: 2010-02-27 20:32

Congrats to Lagerback for getting the job. Only time will tell if the NFF has taken the right decision to Axe Amodu And bring in a new coach with 3 months to the world cup.

Once again for the love of NIGERIA, it will be good for all to now look forward and lets support the team to victory in the WORLD CUP. Wishing Nigeria bad just to prove a point that the NFF took the wrong decision simply doesnt make sense. And all those calling for Siasia at this point in time should know that we cant just eat our cake and have it. Siasia's time will surely come.

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

rachael: 2010-02-27 20:39

am surprised at their pick.but at least they are moving forward.i wish them the best of luck.

AzraEzra: 2010-02-27 23:23

Lars Lagerback: The Man Sa****ay, February 27th,2010
Lars Lagerback beat Sven-Goran Eriksson, Bruno Metsu, Ratomir Dujkovic and Glenn Hoddle, to claim the role of Nigeria's coach for the next five months. The contract will see the Swedish tactician take the Super Eagles to the World Cup. AzraEzra... brings you the bio of the man behind the glasses.


Intro
Lars Edvin 'Lasse' Lagerback was born 61 years ago in Katrineholm, Sweden. He is most famous for guiding Sweden to a record five-consecutive championships consisting, of the European Cup and the World Cup. He resigned from the Sweden job in 2009 after a nine-year stint as head coach preceded by a one year stint as assistant national coach.


Early life
1948 - Lars Lagerback is born in Sweden.

1960 - He begins his youth football playing career with Swedish side Alby FF.

1961 - At 13 years old, Lagerback plays for the P16 team.

1970 - After ten years at Alby he moves on to Gimonas CK where he plays for four more years.

1974 - Attends Gynastik Idrotts Hogskolan [GIH]. GIH is the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences which claims to be the world's oldest sports school. It was founded in 1813. While there, he meets Roland Andersson who is to become his assistant in the Swedish national team.


Managerial career
1977 - Lagerback begins his coaching career with Division IV team Kilafors.

1983 - He moves to Arbra Bk for two years.

1987 - Joins another Swedish club Hudiksvalls ABK for a further two years.

1990 - He is appointed coach of the Swedish U21 team, a position he occupies for five years, during which time he coaches Fredrik Ljungberg among others.

1996 - Lagerback takes over the Swedish B team for a year.

1998 - He is appointed assistant national coach to Tommy Soderberg.

2000 - Lagerback is promoted to the position of dual-coach of the national team, a responsibility he shares with Soderberg. Under their guidance, Sweden qualifies for EURO 2000.

2002 - Guides Sweden to the World Cup. The Swedes top Group F 'the Group of Death' which includes Nigeria, England and Argentina. Sweden beat Nigeria 2:1, but lose by an identical scoreline to Bruno Metsu's Senegal in the Round of 16.

2004 - Lagerback guides Sweden to the quarterfinal of EURO 2004, their third straight championship, losing to Holland.

2004 - Soderberg leaves, and Lagerback assumes full control of the team. He appoints Roland Andersson as his assistant.

2006 - He breaks Sweden's record when he guides the team to its fourth consecutive championship; the 2006 FIFA World Cup. They are knocked out by Germany in the Round of 16.

2008 - Lagerback again guides Sweden to EURO 2008; the Scandinavians' fifth consecutive championship, but loses at the group stage. The early exit prompts calls for his sack in Sweden.

2009 - Fails to qualify Sweden for the World Cup, Lagerback resigns.

2009 - Declares interest in the vacant Scotland job

AzraEzra: 2010-02-27 23:26

How Lagerback blew away the field...by AzraEzra Sa****ay, February 27th, 2010
61 year old Lars Lagerback was never really considered a favourite. While it was acknowledged that he had a good track record with Sweden, the favourites touted were ex-England boss Glenn Hoddle and Frenchman and ex-Senegal coach Bruno Metsu.

The Swede was the last man to be interviewed, with many believing the NFF had their minds made up before he was interviewed. Nigerians however work up this morning to the realization that the man they call 'Lasse' in Sweden is now the new boss of their team the Super Eagles.

How did he pull it off?

Tunde Aderibigbe an official of the Nigerian Football Federation told KickOffNigeria.com that Lagerback blew the field away with his presentation which reflected his profound grasp of the Nigerian game and its pitfalls. However the clincher was in his solutions to the issues.

"He broke down and ****ysed the Nigerian team, and ****ysed the players from as far back as 2002 when Sweden met Nigeria at the World Cup, to the current team and players.

"He went on to identify the problems with Nigerian football and set out specific ideas for solving the problems.

"And then he set specific targets and timelines to meet those targets. His presentation was brilliant and showed that he came prepared.

"The panel were surprised at his knowledge and impressed at his delivery."

Lagerback's team beat Nigeria 2:1 at the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan. His Nigerian assistants will be former Eagles boss Austin Eguavoen, Daniel Amokachi and Alloy Agu.

Femi: 2010-02-28 06:50

I think we couldn't have gone wrong with either one of the coaches that were interviewed. But from what I have been reading about Lagerback, he understands the team quiet well. I stated in one of my earlier posts that Amodu was clueless as to what the team needed to be successful. What I meant back then was, in watching Amodu on the Eagles' sideline, he came across as someone who didn't know how to adjust to the game as it developed in front of him. He was always seen sitting still on the bench, and not communicating with his players. In other words, he was too timid to be in charge of bunch of big headed “fat cats” like the ones that currently wear our national colors. This guy, Lagerback sounded like he already knew that (the indisciple) about our team without having been in charge. Once a problem is identified, is always much easier to try and fix it. Amodu had NO clue! Now let’s go out and get those boys some warm up matches!!!

Femi: 2010-02-28 06:51

I think we couldn't have gone wrong with either one of the coaches that were interviewed. But from what I have been reading about Lagerback, he understands the team quiet well. I stated in one of my earlier posts that Amodu was clueless as to what the team needed to be successful. What I meant back then was, in watching Amodu on the Eagles' sideline, he came across as someone who didn't know how to adjust to the game as it developed in front of him. He was always seen sitting still on the bench, and not communicating with his players. In other words, he was too timid to be in charge of bunch of big headed “fat cats” like the ones that currently wear our national colors. This guy, Lagerback sounded like he already knew that (the indisciple) about our team without having been in charge. Once a problem is identified, is always much easier to try and fix it. Amodu had NO clue! Now let’s go out and get those boys some warm up matches!!!

AzraEzra: 2010-02-28 11:22

Football - World Cup 2010
27/02/2010 - 15:07
Hiddink replaces Vahid



AzraEzra INFO:
About World Cup
Reportedly, Vahid Halilhodzic has been sacked from his post as coach of the Ivory Coast. A press conference will formalize the new. The Bosnian pays elimination in the quarterfinals of the CAN. Dutchman Guus Hiddink will replace it as "freelance".

Predictably. When it is - rightly - the title of the CAN and we stopped in the quarterfinals, it is chaos. The Ivorian authorities have long awaited elsewhere after the competition, announcing it would probably take a new coach for the Elephants to shine at the World Cup in June This time, for sure, it will not Vahid Halilhodzic. The Bosnian, who arrived in May 2008 and had qualified for the Ivorians in South Africa, was formally dismissed on Sa****ay by President Jacques Anouma.

To guide the Elephants at the World Cup, many names circulating. Those of Eric Gerets (ex-OM) and Guus Hiddink back often. But Dutchman who has been chosen. The former Chelsea manager is yet under contract with the Russian Federation until June and is committed to following with Turkey. But he had to find an arrangement that his mission on the shores of the Bosphorus begins in September because according to our information, he is a freelance perform in South Africa. His mission? Go as far as possible, at least in the 8th finals, which would be a first for the Ivory Coast in the race.

His task will not be easy with Brazil and Portugal as the main rivals but Hiddink has the experience and results like coach are well-known: the semifinals of the World Cup with South Korea in 2002, 8th -final with Australia in 2006 and the semifinals of Euro 2008 with Russia. In addition, the talent (Drogba, Kalou, Kone, Toure, Keita) is present in the team. The question is how these players will then digested the failure of the CAN in Angola and how, by June, without actually being there, he can best prepare the Elephants. Moreover, it will probably not on the bench in London Wednesday for the friendly against South Korea.

Austin: 2010-03-01 10:03

Finally, the Act is done. The stage is set for Nigeria to once again repeat her blunders at the World Cup. I wish the SE well, but mark it: The injustice done Amodu these 2 times will return to haunt the SE, the NSC and the NFF. Just like the injustice done to Oliseh, finidi, Tijani and co has not stopped haunting us till today. AMODU: you have all my respect for your maturity in all this drama of madness. I wish you well. God bless you.

Frank: 2010-03-01 10:28

Congratulations Nigerians! We have a new coach. The icing on the cake being that he is foreign. This is so because most people here still suffer from colonial mentality and will always prefer anything European. This being the case, let us give this man a chance, let us give him full support. No criticism based on ignorance. I shall stand by him as I stood by Amodu. If u don't know, ask before laying bare ur ignorance. I hope his contract will be extended after the initial five months whether we do well at the world cup or not, we need continuity, we need sustenance, he needs time.

Original

Frank: 2010-03-01 10:34

P/S: I do not subscribe to this Sisia bull****! People who flaunt his name are beginning to sound like a broken record. Let this man bring his own assistant. Let's not burden him with Siasia or anyone else!

Original

prism: 2010-03-01 13:17

Hara Kiri....where is Bruno Metsu?

prism: 2010-03-01 13:17

Hara Kiri....where is Bruno Metsu?

Shijo: 2010-03-01 14:45

I wondered the criteria for choosing Lagerback, but since they say he has a deep knowledge of Nigerian football and players, then so be it. All we can do is hope for the best. I had been a strong advocate of Siasia, but it did not happen. Well, we wait on the new coach and see what he has to deliver. Right from when he invites players to the SE, it will give an idea whether we are in for another emotional torture or not. If he excludes certain "favorite" players who chew gum ceaselessly, my hope in him will rise. We are waiting and watching......

Emperor: 2010-03-14 04:53

please my co forum members, I want to beg you people to stop mentioning that name @AMODU in this forum, or else I will resign from here and join four four two, Amodu is not a coach and his name should not be mentioned here, he is a disgrace to modern soccer, he only lead his team to play what I see as anti football. I wish the new coach well and also the rest of whoever he want to choose to assist him, but he most not dare to bring in Amodu or Amokachi, those guys have nothing to offer him.