Bruno Labbadia has officially been named the new head coach of Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) on August 27, 2024.

He emerge as the sixth German to take charge of the team, following the likes of Berti Vogts and Gernot Rohr.

While they are jubilations over the appointment of the new coach, a major concern to be noted is that Labbadia is inexperienced in national team leadership. Hence, coaching the Super Eagles will be the first in his managerial career.

Brief History 

Labbadia was born in Germany to Italian parents and has a long history in European football.

As a player, he was a successful striker, scoring over 200 goals in more than 500 games for clubs like Bayern Munich and Hamburger SV.

Former German Coaches and Achievements 

• Karl-Heinz Marotzke (1970–1971, 1974)

• Gottlieb Göller (1981)

• Manfred Höner (1988–1989): Led the Super Eagles to the runner-up position in the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations

• Berti Vogts (2007–2008): Helped Nigeria qualify for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations​

• Gernot Rohr (2016–2021): Guided Nigeria to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and also took the team to a third-place finish in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations​

• Bruno Labbadia (2024–present): Recently appointed and challenged  to guide the team through the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 qualifiers​

Coaching History

He began his coaching career in 2003 and has managed several top German clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen, VfB Stuttgart, and Wolfsburg.

Known for helping struggling teams, Labbadia’s coaching style is practical and focused. He has helped clubs avoid relegation and even qualified some for European competitions.

His overall record includes 487 games as a coach, with 214 wins, 103 draws, and 170 losses.

Labbadia’s coaching career includes:

• Greuther Fürth (2007–2008): 15 wins, 10 draws, 11 losses

• Bayer Leverkusen (2008–2009): 19 wins, 7 draws, 14 losses

• Hamburger SV (2009–2010, 2015–2016): 22 wins, 16 draws, 13 losses in his first spell

• VfB Stuttgart (2010–2013, 2022–2023): 50 wins, 24 draws, 45 losses across both tenures

• VfL Wolfsburg (2018–2019): Led them to European competition qualification

Challenge Ahead

They German’s biggest challenge now will be guiding the Super Eagles through their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Nigeria faces Benin Republic on September 7 and Rwanda on September 10.