The Nigeria Football Federation has appointed Germany’s Bruno Labbadia as the new coach of the Nigerian men’s football team, marking the third coaching appointment in a tumultuous year for the nation's football.
The former German international’s appointment, announced on Tuesday via social media, is effective immediately, though the details of his contract remain undisclosed.
The decision highlights ongoing efforts to stabilize and improve the team’s performance on the international stage.
Labbadia takes charge 12 days before Nigeria kicks off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a Group D tie home match to neighbors Benin in Uyo. The team also played away in Rwanda three days later.
The 58-year-old is a seasoned Bundesliga coach with spells at Bayer Leverkusen, Hamburg, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Wolfsburg, and Hertha Berlin. This will be his first job outside Germany.
Labbadia was a prolific scorer as a player, notching at least 200 goals in a career that included a spell with Bayern Munich.
He replaces Finidi George, who was in charge for four matches earlier this year.