HOME > NEWS > LARS LAGERBACK STEPS DOWN AS SUPER EAGLES COACH

Lars Lagerback steps down as Super Eagles coach

Lagerback rejects Nigeria extension

Posted: 2010-07-23 18:10

Swede Lars Lagerback has turned down an offer to continue as Nigeria coach, the national football federation (NFF) confirmed on Friday.

NFF president Aminu Maigari said that Lagerback told him he did not wish to continue in his post despite being offered a four-year deal, with Samson Siasia being lined up as a replacement.

"Lagerback told me he could not continue as the coach of the Super Eagles because he feared that he might not be able to pen a four-year deal that would keep him in Nigeria for that long," Maigari told sports daily Soccer Star.

"He thanked the NFF for the opportunity given him to take the eagles to the World Cup. He said the experience was worth it and that he would always remember Nigeria and her good people." Maigari added that Lagerback told him that his family played a big role in his decision not to extend his five-month contract.

Lagerback was in charge when Nigeria finished bottom of their first round group at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

However, the NFF agreed to hand the Swede a long-term deal on the evidence of the work he put in within a short time.

The NFF top official also disclosed that Siasia will next month be confirmed as the country's new coach on a four-year contract.

"We have had talks with Siasia. The talks have been fruitful and all things being equal, he will put pen to paper next month subject to negotiations," said Maigari.

"Siasia is the coach Nigerians want and we shall give him all the support to succeed in this new job." Siasia led the national team to the final of both the 2005 Fifa Under-20 World Cup as well as the 2008 Olympics.

The former Lokeren and Nantes striker is currently handling Heartland FC of Owerri in the CAF Champions League.

The NFF also announced that caretaker coach Austin Eguavoen will lead Nigeria to next month's friendly against South Korea in Seoul, before taking over the Olympic team.

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Promo: 2010-07-23 18:22

Yeah, i already knew he wouldn't come back. Money monger....if he was for real and not for the money, he would have accepted the 4 years contract. I really hope we can stick by our own this time. At the same time, let our coaches go have a better training.

oscar : 2010-07-23 18:28

My view on the above news:

http://mynigeriannews.blogspot.com/2010/07/lagerback-turns-nigeria-down.html

charles: 2010-07-23 18:30

The best thing that could happen to nigerin football is giving siasia the eagles job. This Should have been done immediately after the 2008 olympics game but due to shotsightedness and sheer unpatoitism of those incharge of our football, it wasn't but thank God for the wind of change blowing through Nigerian soccer today through the patroitic efforts of the most lucky Jonathan our president, who God is using to minister delivance to our football. Long live naija soccer.

Billion: 2010-07-23 18:54

This is a great news for Nigeria. @Austin, myself with some notable forumites including @ken gaddafi canvassed for Siasia taking Nigeria to the 2014 WC. If those managing our football has been decisive & courageous enough, Amodu should have remained and then leave after SA 2010.

Lagerback reaped where he never sowed and ripped off our nation an estimated $1.5m with the worst group result. Amodu, I believe with all my heart would have gotten to the next stage. Lagerback's recruitment was a waste of tax payers money - he may not be a bad coach but he certainly did not deserve all the large sum given to him. He got the worst group result Nigeria ever had in her WC history. Amodu was robbed but Siasia is a better candidate.

Tony: 2010-07-23 19:08

This is goodnews for Niaja football.Congrats to Coach Siasia and to all the people that canvassed for this job.lets give him our support for better niaja football.

adelekx@yahoo.com : 2010-07-23 19:13

This is good news for Nigerian football indeed. I believe Siasia will do very well if given the necessary support and a conducive environment to work. I however so not think we should still be holding on to the past because if a new coach couldn't bring out the best in the team widely said to be assembled by Amodu, then I strongly do not think Amodu himself would have done any better at the world cup. Let's alljoin hands and support Siasia to succeed and return Nigerian football to where it truly belongs.

Eric: 2010-07-23 19:14

What do you expect after he collected $1.5M in just effectively 3 weeks. Why didn't he consult with his family before collecting our money? Now he can submit his world cup report to NFF via the internet. I don't blame him anyway. The likes of him are hovering around Africa and will only surface once there is an opportunity.
Please Siasia help us build a formidable team that will be the envy of all.

Clovis: 2010-07-23 19:16

What did you expect? Of-course he will turn it down, do you really believe he wants to live in Nigeria for another four years? Secondly, NFF is a messed up entity that who in their right mind will want to work for you? You (NFF) guys were willing to hand him millions of dollars for four months, no he doesn't have to work for several years, fools NFF. Hand the coaching to a Nigerian and no more white man to save us. We can save our selves, thank you.

Clovis: 2010-07-23 19:24

The Raping of Nigeria by Lulu, Largaerback and co.

Never will a white man be the answer for our problems. we have to solve it our selves, Black Consciousness needs to raise again. I am glad that he rejected NFF. This is a blessing in disguise for us
God Bless Nigeria

Alexzy : 2010-07-23 19:26

Nigerian football will surely be great again with this decision. The NFF got it right for once. The whole world has moved towards their trusted ex international toanage their football. This should also be extended to the next NFF election. We need people with the proper knowledge and know how of the game at the helm of our football. Let mediocrity be a thing of the past. People like Lulu,amodu and co should never be allowed near football management either as administrators or coach. God bless Nigeria. The future looks bright indeed but I must admonish our people to be patient with Siasia because results may not be instant and that it might take a while to repair what has been extensively damaged by people with poor technical know how.

Chumekhs : 2010-07-23 19:36

Thanks be to God, so at last this lars of a man is out let enjoy the new era of siasia togeda let support him and we wil by Gods grace be sure of 2nations cup trophy and world cup s.final come 2014.
GOD HELP US.

mayor: 2010-07-23 20:06

It is a shame that this whiteman has just taken his share of Lulu & company's mega loot of the NFF. I was sad he was given the job in the first place because,of all the applicants that applied for the job, he was the odd one but NFF played into his hand just because of his "GRAPHICAL ILLUSTRATION/COMPUTER GRAPHIC" he displayed for the panel during the interview and his ****ysis on the slim victory he recorded over Nigeria in 2002, while they all get carried away and therefore paid times four of what he gets as Sweden coach. Too bad!

Anyway, that is all story now, and I pray for Siasia to be very careful with those cabal at NFF when he eventually gets the job. and should not let selfish interest override his no-nonsense principles which he is known for.

God Bless Sia1, God bless Super Eagle,God Bless Nigeria!

eze: 2010-07-23 20:08

Lagerback no doubt is a good coach and with more time could have package a good super eagles team.
For refusing offer of another 4 years means that the man is not a greedy fellow. Our consolation with his departure is that after all said and done, our own Man, Siasia will take over.
Anybody still mentioning the name of the coach that took us to Angola is wasting his or her time.He stole the mandate of Siasia after finishing third from the process of selecting a coach few years ago but the public has restord back his mandate.......we will support and pray for you to succeed....atleast 4 good years.

Segun: 2010-07-23 20:44

@Oscar, thumbs up. I really liked your blog - design and content.

Segun: 2010-07-23 20:44

@Oscar, thumbs up. I really liked your blog - design and content.

oscar : 2010-07-23 20:54

@ Segun, thanks. Appreciated...

jesus: 2010-07-23 20:58

@EZE i like your coment very nice

francobaresi: 2010-07-23 21:14

sisia is the best man for the job,thank god that this interin board members are listening to the yearnings of nigerians,i know siasia will deliver,ok.

jesus: 2010-07-23 21:34

NFF President Aminu Maigari has denied quotes attributed to him that Lars Lagerback has rejected an extension to his Nigeria contract.

Maigari was quoted extensively by local media as saying that the Swede had turned down the offer of a new deal and former striker Samson Siasia had been offered the job.

But the NFF boss said that was not the situation: "At the moment, the situation is that Lagerback has asked for a few more days to conclude discussions with his lawyers and his family. Right now, he has not said yes or no. But he will get back to us in a few days."

Siasia, who has reportedly been named as the Swede's successor, confirmed meeting with NFF bosses, but said he was only made a conditional offer.

"I spoke to the NFF people and they told me that if Lagerback did not come back, they could give me the job. Right now, I cannot say much because nothing is finalised, yet."

Apiripah: 2010-07-23 22:13

The only question I have been asking my self all the time is what NFF saw in largerback that motivated them to extended his contract?No european country will ever,ever let lagerback to coach their team again after the worst world cup outcome ever.Am not a coach but if i was incharged of the super eagles during the Kung fu's red card,i would have changed my team to 4-4-1 just to secure the lead,but what did he do?.Everyone watch out,his coaching career has ended.his only good to NFF because of their corruptions.

osas: 2010-07-23 23:47

We dont need u, MR LARS AND UR CRIMINAL GANG, GO TO HAIL, 4
the disgrace u bruoth to nigeria GOD we not forgive u if we the nigeria forgive u.we all the nigeria are recouvery from the pains u put us. byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee MR 419, U ONLY CAME TO CLAIM UR PARK, NOW U HAVE GO. Because OSAZE ODEMWINGIE told u that, ur system of playing is nort good u refuse to the guy againt south korea. we are OK BY NOW.

elzo: 2010-07-24 00:04

Who wouldn't wish a piece of the pie in the sky? Nigeria invited Lars to free party which he never sweated for and asked him to be head coach. He talked them into his fantasies of having all the tricks in the bag to beat Argentina. The so-called football authorities bowed to him, believing him but forgetting the same man they all believed failed to take his native Sweden to South Africa. Now they are asking him, with a favor, to sweat for qualification, prove his tricks. And what did he do, take a bow and run away before the wind exposes the fowl's ****. What a shame! Oh well, now know who we are dealing with. My only hope is that Siasia, if he's installed, should be given 100% support, the kind that was given this man, and even more. No more games with these so-called european or foreign experiments. South Africa just appointed a local coach head coach. Algeria is sticking to Sadaane. Here we go, naija.

objective bibby: 2010-07-24 00:06

@ Billion,
u never, ever supported Siasia to take over @ WC. Pls set the record right, both u & Ken gaddafi were only shouting about injustice against Amodu.
Goodluck to Siasia, but he should be grow up (no pettiness against big players) now as a senior mgr, he should open his heart to every good player, and hopefully, he can deliver.

dennis: 2010-07-24 04:48

@Bibby spot on, most of them here comment based on sentiments, last year they were saying craps like siasia been inexperienced,stubborn,using over-aged players to win matches,relying on kalika and craps like that,just because their man was incharge then ,now that he isn't incharge all those conspiracy thoeries suddengly vanished.
Now they've discovered that siasia is the rightful person for the job.
I'm happy that they are now canvasing for siasia to take over the job.
like an ibo adage says 'aku fecha odara awo',after everything, the job will still come back to the rightful owner SIASIA.

TUNDE: 2010-07-24 08:49

AMODU LAST TIME BEFORE THE WORLD CUP I TOLD YOU THAT OUR TEAM WILL BE DISGRACED AS THE UNGRATEFUL ELEMENTS NIGERIANS HAS DISGRACED YOU AFTER YOU HAVE DONE A VERY GOOD JOB REGARDING OUR TEAM,I ALSO TOLD YOU THAT YOU SHOULD BE LAUGHING, NOW IT HAPPENNED THEIR OYINBO COACH COULD NOT DO BETTER THAN YOU AND YOU HAVE A GOOD RECORD ABOVE THEIR OYINBO MAN

SIASIA IT WILL BE YOUR TURN IF YOU DECIDED TO TAKEUP THE JOB,NIGERIANS WILL NEVER APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS AS THE ARE UNGRATEFUL ELEMENT,WITH ALL OBASANJO PERFORMANCES NIGERIA ARE STILL CALLING FOR THE OLD MAN HEAD AND CALLING BACK IBB WHO SPOILED NIGERIA, NIGERIAN PEOPLE DOEST KNOW THEIR LEFT FROM RIGHT NON KNOW THE RIGHT FROM LEFT.

AMODU YOU ARE THE BEST WHICH NEVER ALLOWED TO WORK SO LEAVE THEM WITH THEIR PROBLEM AND BE LAUGHING,AND MAY GOD GUIDE YOU FOR YOUR HONESTY, NIGERIA NEED LIARS AND THIEFS, NOT HONEST AND OUTSPOKING PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND OBASANJO ,ABUBAKAR UMAR,LATE IDIAGBON AND OTHER GOOD NIGERIANS

Lagerback rejects Nigeria extension GOOD IT IS BETTER FOR OYINBO MAN TO CARRY OUR HUGE AMOUNT JUST LIKE THAT THAN AMODU OUR BROTHER TO BNEFITS, YORUBA SAYS ENITI ONI OHUN OSIN OLORUN OHUN TI KOTO OLORUN LOMA SIN HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

EMAN

ken gadaffi: 2010-07-24 09:32

I am really surprised to see the number of people who have applauded this news that Lars has dumped Nigeria ( not step down as KON is making us to believer here) When some of us Kicked against the sacking of Amodu, we did because we know that his successor wouldnt fare better given the time but most fans and the then PTF were bent on seeing the back of AMODU. Today, the so called messiah has decided to dump Nigeria and made a fool of us yet all people can do it to say this is good news. What a shame.

Well, the man can stay back in Sweden. He deceived the interview panel to get the Super Eagles’ job and now, it is clear that he cannot take the country to anywhere. As a matter of fact, it was a great injustice to Nigerian football to have given him the job in the first place.

But beyond hiring a coach, what we need to do now is to sit down and restructure Nigerian football. All those hailing Siasia's appointment will still come back to say something different if things go wrong. We have to look critically on why our football has gone so bad and not just looking at who the best coach to handle the team is. The NFF has to go back to the root cause of our past failures the main factor of which is the fire brigade approach to preparations for major tournaments.

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

Thompson : 2010-07-24 10:02

It is good to know that Nigerians have taken the courage to give Siasia the coaching job.so the next step will be to make Kanu NFF chairman so that Nigeria football can move forward.Enough of recycling the same old fools that have not helped our football into NFF

Matlock: 2010-07-24 11:09

“I share in Daniel Amokachi’s sentiments that Lagerback’s contract should not be renewed,” he stated. “The man should be told to stay back in Sweden. He deceived the interview panel to get the Super Eagles’ job and now, it is clear that he cannot take the country to anywhere. In fact, those who gave him the job did injustice to Nigerian football,” he added.
“But beyond hiring a coach, the very honest thing we need to do now is to sit down and restructure Nigerian football. Hence, I am in support of President Goodluck Jonathan, who believes that our football needs massive reorganisation. We need to restructure the NFF; we need credible and honest Nigerians to run the game this time around

tk.: 2010-07-24 12:09

i suggest micke mouse or bart of the simpsons. tli tli tli tli!

Njia4life: 2010-07-24 14:16

Let him go, Spain that carry the world cup, did the did it with foreign coach, the problem we have it, we do not believe in ourselves that we can make things turn around..let him go how i wish i can see his banking details to know how much he has because i know that when he was the Sweden Coach, he was not earning alot..the come to Africa where the think that we all are fools....No" let him go and let the local guys there manage the team.

Profy: 2010-07-24 14:33

I have listen to all commentators on this site and this is my verdict:

1. Amodu should not be mention here. Nobody cheated him. He did not meet the expectations of Nigeria and NFF HAS NO CHOICE THAN TO FIRE HIM. HE WAS PAid his due. De Bosque win Champion leagues for Real Madrid but the Mgt still fire him bcos they felt he doesnt have the personality to handle Real madrid. So stop playing sentiment here.
2. Nigerians never ask for foreign Coach. All they want is Siasia but NFF FELT HE IS TOO ARROGANT. In yoruba there is a saying that KAKA KI EKU MA JE SESE, AFI SA WADANU. in other words, they will rather give the job to sumone else than give it to the man of the people. Thats why Lagerback come to the picture bcos they know that they can still convince nigerians with a foreign coach if Nigerians cant get what they want which is SIASIA. Atleast Siasia beats amodu flat during the interview. that is where the injustice started.
3. If you dont believe me, do Opinion Poll and you will see that 90% of Nigerian will vote for SIASIA to be the Coach of the Super Eagles. He is a no nonsense coach who will not bow to anybody and he is very hardworking. Do you think Siasia would have taken Yakubu, Yobo, ****tu , Afolabi and Co to World Cup?
4. I support the Federal Govt in all ther action so far. Infact all the NFF member should go. We need fresh hands. People like Segun Odegbami, John Fasanu, Kodjo Williams, Adokie should come on Board.
5. The greatest problem of Nigerian Football is Amos Adamu. As long as he is still there, Nigerian Football will never no peace. The man breeds Coruption and mediocrity. Sani lulu is from my state but he is not competent to be in that board.

utibe: 2010-07-24 16:00

Politics deprived Siasia for a long time as a coach. In d interviewed conducted which brought in Amodu. Siasia was the best but bcos of d corrupt Lulu, Siasia was denied. It will be good if Siasia is finally named SE coach. He knows our players and highly discipline, tactical and technical. I hope nff will give him d free hand 2 succeed. kudos Siasia and kudos SE. We are progressing.

utibe: 2010-07-24 16:08

Amodu is better than Lars Largerback, Amodu qualified Nigeria 4 w/cup twice and Lars failed to qualify sweeden 4 w/cup. If Amodu was allowed to go he wld have done better than largerback. Whether u like or not Amodu was badly treated and God does not like injustice. Even if Nigeria went with the likes of messi, lahn, casillas, iniesta, puyol, villa, sneider etc they wld have still failed b/cos of the maltreatment. God was against Nigeria and dis was seen in d goal yakubu missed. it was hand of God. Let's all apologize to Amodu 4 forgiveess so the we will not be hunt in future. AMODU, PLS WE ARE SORRY FOR D INJUSTICE MELTED ON U BY NFF LED LULU THROUGH THE FOOTBALL FANS.

Apiripah: 2010-07-24 17:41

@utibe or what ever you called your self,If you want to apologise to Amodu,you better do it personally than to say WE,Who is we?do you want to be father of all nations?or do you want to speak for us?You freaking Amodu worshipers.

neru: 2010-07-24 21:21

all of you shouting siasia soon you will curcify him if he dont give result mark my word he still not ready for eagle job it different coaching young boys than big over paid idiot and you think he will chose his team himself or the so call NFF let wait and see

tunde: 2010-07-25 02:34

The flying eagles defeated the their Guinean counterparts 2-0 in Abuja. The return match will take place in two weeks time in Conakry, capital of Guinea. Nigeria scored the two goals in the first ten minutes of the second half.This is part of the Africa Junior Cup, U-20, taking place next year in Tripoli, Libya.

Profy: 2010-07-25 10:30

@neru nobody is going to crucify Samson Siasia if he fails. You know why: Because he is a good coach. You dont sack a coach because of a game. You look at his competence and the circumstances surrounding his failure. That is why even though Siasia fails recently with Under 20 National team but Nigeria still want him. Whether u like it or not, Siasia is the best Coach in Nigeria and one of the greatest Tactician in the World. So pray for him to succeed instead of wishing him failure. Siasia is a good coach anytime anyday.

Jeshurun: 2010-07-26 08:44

"He said the experience was worth it"

Why wont it be worth it when you pocketed $1.5 million dollars for a 5 month job. What a shame, the highest paid coach in Nigeria's football history oversaw our worst ever performance at at international football event.

Jeshurun: 2010-07-26 08:44

This fool didn't even have the courtesy to talk directly to Nigerians! He owes this country and apology.

Jeshurun: 2010-07-26 08:54

This fool didn't even have the courtesy to talk directly to Nigerians! He owes this country and apology.

osas: 2010-07-27 22:49

WE ALL THE NAIJA WANT SAMSON SIASIA AS OUR COACH, TO HAIL WITH LARS WE DONT NEED U ANY MORE, SIASIA CAN WAP AWAY OUR TAIRS, WE HAVE SURFFER A ENOGH 4 THOSE WESTAN IDOIT COACH SINCE THE DEPARTURE OF CLEMENT WESTAOFF. CONGRAT, MR SAMSON SIASIA. WITH U WE THE NAIJA ARE OK.

mike: 2010-07-28 10:18

When most of us called Lagerback a fraud, people like Okey the dish washer in Canada called us names, now he has shown the whole what he really is a fraudster. Well it was not his fault, his white worshiping Nigerian fans and the PTF forced him on us.I hope we learn from this mistake and never repeat this blunder again. I hope NFF would at least pay SIASIA for a year, what they paid the incompetent lagerback for five months.
Akpobome.

mike: 2010-07-28 10:20

When most of us called Lagerback a fraud, people like Okey the dish washer in Canada called us names, now he has shown the whole world what he really is a fraudster. Well it was not his fault, his white worshiping Nigerian fans and the PTF forced him on us.I hope we learn from this mistake and never repeat this blunder again. I hope NFF would at least pay SIASIA for a year, what they paid the incompetent lagerback for five months.
Akpobome.

Benson: 2010-07-28 16:34

At this stage we nolonger need Lagerback. He will be too expensive for us. We needed him to do some miracle which he could not perform. What we need now we have. Appoint Siasia as coach and Westerhoff as technical adviser to work with Siasia and they will raise us new breed players. Westerhoff proved himself in that fromm 1990 to 1994 he won us bronze, silver and gold in AFCON and took us to 2nd round in World cup. He is still in Nigeria raising talents. Siasia took us to win silver medal in 2009. Please appoint the two and have rest.