Eric Chelle: History of Super Eagles Coaches Since 1949

• The Nigeria Football History Dated Back to 1949
• Englishman John Finch Became the First Ever Coach
• Since inception each coach has played a part in shaping the team’s success and growth.

The story of Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, is closely tied to the coaches who have led them over the years. Since 1949, when Englishman John Finch became the first coach, the team has been guided by a mix of Nigerian and foreign managers.

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Each coach has played a part in shaping the team’s success and growth.

From local legends like Daniel Anyiam and Stephen Keshi to international experts like Clemens Westerhof and Gernot Rohr, the Super Eagles have had leaders from around the world.

 

This list looks back at all the coaches, their time in charge, and their contributions to Nigerian football. With Éric Sékou Chelle taking over in 2025, their efforts continue to inspire the future of the team.

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LIST OF SUPER EAGLES’ COACHES IN HISTORY

 

John Finch (England) – 1949

Daniel Anyiam (Nigeria) – 1954-1956; 1964-1965

Les Courtier (England) – 1956-1960

Moshe Beit Halevi (Israel) – 1960-1961

George Vardar (Hungary) – 1961-1963

Joey Blackwell (England) – 1963 – 1964

József Ember (Hungary) – 1965-1968

Sabino Barinaga (Spain) – 1968-1969

Peter ‘Eto’ Amaechina (Nigeria) – 1969-1970

Karl-Heinz Marotzke (Germany) – 1970-1971; 1974

Jorge Penna (Brazil) – 1972-1973

Jelisavčić ‘Father Tiko’ Tihomir (Yugoslavia) – 1974-1978

Otto Glória (Brazil) – 1979-1982

Gottlieb Göller (Germany) – 1981

Adegboye Onigbinde (Nigeria) – 1983-1984; 2002

Chris Udemezue (Nigeria) – 1984-1986

Patrick Ekeji (Nigeria) – 1985

Paul Hamilton (Nigeria) – 1987; 1989

Manfred Höner (Germany) – 1988-1989

Clemens Westerhof (Netherlands) – 1989-1994

Amodu Shaibu (Nigeria) – 1994-1995; 1996-1997; 2001-2002; 2008-2010

Johannes Bonfrere (Netherlands) – 1995-1996; 1999-2001

Philippe Troussier (France) – 1997

Monday Sinclair (Nigeria) – 1997-1998

Bora Milutinović (Yugoslavia) – 1998

Thijs Libregts (Netherlands) – 1999

Christian Chukwu (Nigeria) – 2002-2005

Augustine Eguavoen (Nigeria) – 2005-2007; 2010; 2022

Berti Vogts (Germany) – 2007-2008

Lars Lagerbäck (Sweden) – 2010

Samson Siasia (Nigeria) – 2010-2011; 2016

Stephen Keshi (Nigeria) – 2011-2014; 2015

Sunday Oliseh (Nigeria) – 2015-2016

Gernot Rohr (Germany) – 2016-2021

José Peseiro (Portugal) – 2022-2024

Finidi George (Nigeria) – 2024

Éric Sékou Chelle (France) – 2025-?

 

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