Super Eagles coach: Nigeria face fierce United States battle in race for Herve Renard

The Nigerian Football Federation faces an uphill task in convincing Herve Renard to be the next coach of the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Super Eagles have been without a head coach since Finidi George resigned from the role in June following disappointing results against South Africa and the Benin Republic in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

It is believed that the NFF aims to appoint a foreign Technical Adviser for the Super Eagles to work alongside a yet-to-be-named Indigenous coach.

Recent reports suggest that the football body has contacted two-time AFCON-winning coach Herve Renard for the job.

Renard is currently the head coach of France women’s national team but he has already made clear his intention to vacate the position after the Paris Olympic Games this summer.

United States’ interest

Nigeria, however, are not the only team interested in hiring Renard after his French adventure.

According to Nigerian journalist Colin Udoh, the United States and a couple of Saudi Arabian clubs are also in negotiations with Renard.

Renard is one of those managers who could take charge of the United States men’s national team following the dismissal of Gregg Berhalter. Berhalter led the USMNT to an early exit at the 2024 Copa America.

Other coaches in the line of sight of the United States include former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and erstwhile El Salvador coach Hugo Perez.

However, according to Sporting News, both of these tacticians have declined the job.

The United States, because of these rejections, could go all in for Renard, which could see them beat Nigeria to the race for the Frenchman’s signature.

Following successful spells handling Saudi Arabia, Zambia, Cote d’Ivoire, and Morocco, Renard has made a name for himself as an international boss.

The 55-year-old manager is the first coach to win two Africa Cup of Nations with different teams. He has been at the last two editions of the World Cup, with Morocco in 2018 and Saudi Arabia in 2022.