José Peseiro: What Next for the Portuguese?

With less than a week to the end of his contract and having surpassed the target given to him by his employer-an AFCON semifinal, and with former Nigeria international, Emmanuel Amuneke throwing his hat in the ring for the Super Eagles job, the Nigeria Football Federation is still yet undecided as to whether to renew the contract of the Portuguese or not

For many Nigerian soccer fans, Jose Peseiro was not the right man for the Super Eagles job having shunned in some lacklustre performance for the senior national football team, most especially the two 2026 World Cup qualifier matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe in which his tutored side forced their minnow opponents to a 1-1, in matches which ordinarily should have been six points in the bag for Nigeria.

With the Africa Cup of Nations ahead then, many felt the Portuguese’s cup was already full and that the biennial tournament hosted by the Ivorians would be his waterloo. However, the 63-year-old manager, against all odds surpassed the semifinal target given him by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, and guided the final of the biennial competition, thereby putting the country’s football body in a fix as to whether to renew his contract or not.

With his 2023 exploit, Peseiro has become a ‘beautiful bride’ of sort with some African countries, most especially Algeria and Egyptians giants, Zamalek, said to be muting the idea of employing the Portuguese.

The Deserts Foxes are said to be offering the Portuguese a monthly salary of $90000, while the latter are still at crossroads as to if go for the former Venezuala coach.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles on field captain, William Troost-Ekong has said he would be happy to see Peseiro sign a new contract with the Nigeria Football Federation heading into the remaining 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Three-time champions, the Super Eagles finished in second place at the recently concluded 2023 Africa Cup of Nations having been beaten by hosts Ivory Coast in the final on February 11.

The Portuguese football tactician has just few days left on his contract with the Nigerian Federation and confirmed earlier this week that he has been approached by the Algerian Federation to take up the Desert Foxes’ managerial position.

Despite criticism by some fans and pundits over Peseiro’s lack of tactical flexibility in the Africa Cup of Nations final, Troost-Ekong has underlined that Peseiro deserves a lot of credit for the progress the team has made in the last two years.

In an exclusive interview with CNN World Sport, Troost-Ekong was asked if he would like to see Peseiro stay on as Nigeria coach amid links with the Algeria job.

The Super Eagles assistant captain responded: “Yes. I think the players are happy with him. Reaching the final is something significant and also something we can build on.

“However, on what he has in mind, I did try to ask him before we left and he said he’s going to call me back. I think I’m just as much in the dark as you guys are but I think all the players would be happy to see him back.”

 the call yet and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Best Player responded: “No. I’m still looking at my phone and nothing yet.”

Peseiro has been coaching the Super Eagles since May 2022 and his record stands at 11 wins, four draws and seven losses in his 22 games in charge.

There have been reports indicating that the Portuguese coach intends to depart from his role due to ongoing contract disputes with the NFF, which has left him unpaid for several months.

Despite the impressive performance of the Super Eagles during the 2023 AFCON, there are conflicting reports about whether Peseiro was offered a new contract by the NFF. However, it appears he has opted to reject any such offer.

This has led to concerns within the Nigerian football community regarding the 63-year-old manager’s future with the team.

The situation surrounding Peseiro’s contract remains unclear, with reports indicating the NFF’s desire to continue with him as head coach.

Meanwhile, former Barcelona winger and Nigerian football icon, Emmanuel Amuneke, has thrown his hat into the ring for the role of head coach for the Super Eagles.

This comes as the tenure of current coach Jose Peseiro hangs in balance following the conclusion of his contract post-AFCON 2024, where Nigeria clinched a second-place finish under his guidance.

In the wake of the Super Eagles’ recent AFCON campaign, which saw them fall just short of the title, losing 2-1 to Ivory Coast in the final, speculation around the team’s coaching future has been rife.

Amuneke has expressed a keen interest in leading the national team.

“I am a Nigerian. All my life, I have served Nigeria as a player,” Amuneke said.

He further added, “If Nigerians now find me fit to add value to the team, of course, it is a welcome development.” Yet, he was quick to note the importance of unity and support for the team above all discussions about coaching positions, emphasizing, “But for now, it is not necessary to talk about this issue… We have to support the team and other Nigerians; they are going through a lot of sadness.”

The future of Jose Peseiro with the Super Eagles is under scrutiny despite the team’s commendable performance at AFCON 2023, which fulfilled the condition in his contract regarding a potential extension.

NFF has yet to make an official statement on whether Peseiro’s journey with the team will continue.

Peseiro’s recent accolade, being named a member of the Order of the Niger alongside his Super Eagles players, highlights his contributions to Nigerian football, yet does not clarify his contractual status moving forward.

Amunike’s managerial record, highlighted by his success with the Golden Eaglets at the 2015 FIFA World U17 championship and the development of talents like Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chwukueze, presents a compelling case for his candidacy.

As the NFF deliberates on the future direction of the Super Eagles’ coaching staff, the Nigerian football community and fans await a decision that will shape the team’s path forward.