Ministry did not contact me – Jose Peseiro denies return to Super Eagles coaching role

Soccernet.ng can exclusively confirm that former Super Eagles boss, Jose Peseiro, has not been contacted regarding a return to lead the Nigerian national team.

Peseiro’s contract with the Nigeria Football Federation expired in February 2024 without signs of renewal, leading to his departure.

Subsequently, the Nigerian football body announced a vacancy for the coaching position, with various candidates, including Emmanuel Amunike and Michael Nsien, being linked to the role.

Reportedly, three European coaches, Danny Bujis, Domenec Torrent, and Toni Conceicao, made the final shortlist, heightening anticipation for the announcement of the new Super Eagles coach.

Amidst this, reports surfaced suggesting Peseiro’s potential return to the team, fueling speculation and surprises within the Nigerian football community.

Ministry Contacted Peseiro?

Reports circulating in Nigerian media outlets suggest that the 63-year-old coach is in discussions with the Ministry of Sports regarding a potential return to lead the Super Eagles.

Further reports indicate that Peseiro, the former Sporting CP coach, is keen to resume his role as the head coach of the team.

When contacted by Soccernet.ng, Peseiro stated that neither the Ministry nor the NFF has reached out to him, dismissing media speculation.

He mentioned that he’s currently enjoying his holiday and keeping up with matches, including upcoming games involving Real Madrid.

Final Candidates for Super Eagles Coach

The Nigeria Football Federation faces a time crunch to appoint a new head coach for the national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic.

Amidst over 60 applications, Enmanuel Amunike, Finidi George, and Portuguese coach Toni Conceicao are among the top contenders.

NFF’s Announcement Timeline

The prolonged selection process has raised concerns, particularly with the looming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and the Republic of Benin.

In an interview with Channels TV, the sports minister, John Enoh, assured that a new coach would be appointed within one to two weeks to adequately prepare for the qualifiers.

“What I can assure is the senior national team will have a new coach in the next one week or at most two weeks,” stated the sports minister.

The situation within the Nigerian football federation regarding the new coach remains undisclosed, but the sports minister’s timeline suggests an imminent announcement.