Like Guardiola, like Mourinho: Ex-Super Eagles star obtains UEFA’s highest coaching qualification

Former Super Eagles midfielder Seyi Olofinjana has achieved the UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching qualification in European football, reports Soccernet.ng.

This prestigious credential, held by top managers like Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, allows coaches to manage the biggest clubs in the world.

Olofinjana, who also holds two master’s degrees in sports directorship and project management, joins a growing number of Africans with this qualification.

Olofinjana’s Career

Olofinjana began his career in Nigeria with Crown FC and Kwara United before moving to Norwegian side Brann.

In 2004, he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers, playing 95 league games over four seasons. After Wolves failed to secure promotion, he signed with newly promoted Premier League club Stoke City for £3 million.

He later played for Hull City, Cardiff City, Sheffield Wednesday, and Start in Norway, where he ended his playing career.

Internationally, Olofinjana debuted for Nigeria in 2000 and was part of the squad for the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia. He earned 56 caps for his national team.

Post-retirement, Olofinjana pursued further education, earning an MSc in Sports Directorship from Manchester Metropolitan University, alongside degrees in Chemical Engineering from Ladoke Akintola University, Nigeria, and Project Management from Robert Gordon University, Scotland.

In August 2015, Olofinjana began working at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Academy as an U23 coach, later becoming the club’s Loans and Pathways Manager in June 2018.

He moved to Swiss side Grasshopper Club Zürich in April 2021 as their sporting director, a position he held until June 2022.