- The Super Eagles have appointed Malian coach Eric Chelle to lead Nigeria’s bid for FIFA 2026 World Cup qualification
- Nigeria has had 38 head coaches since 1949, including legends like Otto Glória, Clemens Westerhof, and Stephen Keshi, who brought AFCON titles
- Chelle previously led Mali to the 2023 AFCON semi-finals and managed Algerian club MC Oran before taking the Nigeria role
The Nigerian national football team, famously known as the Super Eagles, has welcomed Malian tactician Eric Chelle as their new head coach.
Chelle takes over at a pivotal moment as Nigeria prepares for the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the Africa Cup of Nations Championship. With a rich coaching career and experience leading Mali to the semi-finals of AFCON 2023, Chelle’s appointment adds another chapter to the Super Eagles' long list of managerial changes.
Since its inception in 1949, the Super Eagles have had 38 head coaches, a mix of local and foreign managers who have steered the team to remarkable heights. From Otto Glória’s historic AFCON 1980 triumph to Stephen Keshi’s legendary win in 2013, each manager has left a mark on Nigerian football.
Here’s a look at all 37 coaches who led the Super Eagles before Chelle stepped in:
All 38 Super Eagles head coach from 1949 till date
Below is a full list of all Nigeria’s Super Eagles head coach:
1. John Finch (England) – 1949
2. Daniel Anyiam (Nigeria) – 1954-1956; 1964-1965
3. Les Courtier (England) – 1956-1960
4. Moshe Beit Halevi (Israel) – 1960-1961
5. George Vardar (Hungary) – 1961-1963
6. Joey Blackwell (England) – 1963–1964
7. József Ember (Hungary) – 1965-1968
8. Sabino Barinaga (Spain) – 1968-1969
9. Peter ‘Eto’ Amaechina (Nigeria) – 1969-1970
10. Karl-Heinz Marotzke (Germany) – 1970-1971; 1974
11. Jorge Penna (Brazil) – 1972-1973
12. Jelisavčić ‘Father Tiko’ Tihomir (Yugoslavia) – 1974-1978
13. Otto Glória (Brazil) – 1979-1982
14. Gottlieb Göller (Germany) – 1981
15. Adegboye Onigbinde (Nigeria) – 1983-1984; 2002
16. Chris Udemezue (Nigeria) – 1984-1986
17. Patrick Ekeji (Nigeria) – 1985
18. Paul Hamilton (Nigeria) – 1987; 1989
19. Manfred Höner (Germany) – 1988-1989
20. Clemens Westerhof (Netherlands) – 1989-1994
21. Amodu Shaibu (Nigeria) – 1994-1995; 1996-1997; 2001-2002; 2008-2010
22. Johannes Bonfrere (Netherlands) – 1995-1996; 1999-2001
23. Philippe Troussier (France) – 1997
24. Monday Sinclair (Nigeria) – 1997-1998
25. Bora Milutinović (Yugoslavia) – 1998
26. Thijs Libregts (Netherlands) – 1999
27. Christian Chukwu (Nigeria) – 2002-2005
28. Augustine Eguavoen (Nigeria) – 2005-2007; 2010; 2022
29. Berti Vogts (Germany) – 2007-2008
30. Lars Lagerbäck (Sweden) – 2010
31. Samson Siasia (Nigeria) – 2010-2011; 2016
32. Stephen Keshi (Nigeria) – 2011-2014; 2015
33. Sunday Oliseh (Nigeria) – 2015-2016
34. Gernot Rohr (Germany) – 2016-2021
35. José Peseiro (Portugal) – 2022-2024
36. Finidi George (Nigeria) – 2024
37. Austin Eguavoen (Nigeria) - 2024- 2025
38. Eric Chell (Mali) - 2025- present
The appointment of Eric Chelle marks a new era for Nigeria football. Known for his brillant defensive tactics and inspiring Mali’s AFCON 2023 run, Chelle will aim to restore Nigeria’s dominance and secure World Cup qualification. His experience and Nigeria’s rich talent pool raise hopes for success in the years ahead.
“I rushed to meet his dad,” ex-NFF boss Pinnick reflects on convincing Lookman to join Super Eagles
Previously, TheRadar reported that Amaju Pinnick, former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has revealed the extensive efforts that culminated in Ademola Lookman’s first competitive appearance for the Super Eagles in March 2022.
The revelation comes after Lookman was crowned African Footballer of the Year on Monday, December 16 in Morocco, a milestone Pinnick regards as validation of the groundwork laid during his tenure.
