Coaching Career of Finidi George

Finidi George’s coaching career has seen him navigate a path from his early days in the youth setup at Mallorca to his recent appointment as the Super Eagles head coach. George’s journey began in 2013 when he was in charge of the Mallorca Youth team. He then applied to coach the Nigerian U17 national team in 2018 and again in 2019 but was unfortunately rejected both times.

In September 2021, George was named the head coach of Enyimba FC, one of Nigeria’s most successful football clubs. This marked a significant step in his coaching career. He was then appointed as the second assistant to Jose Peseiro, the then-Super Eagles head coach, in April 2022. During his tenure with Enyimba FC, George led the team to win the Nigerian Professional Football League title in July 2023.

Following Peseiro’s departure after the Super Eagles’ runner-up position at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, George stepped in as the interim head coach in March 2024. He led the team in two friendly matches, securing a historic 2-1 victory over Ghana, which ended an 18-year winless streak against the Black Stars, and suffered a 0-2 loss to Mali.

On April 29, 2024, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officially announced Finidi George as the new head coach of the Super Eagles. This appointment came after the recommendation of the NFF’s Technical and Development Committee, highlighting George’s significant contribution to Nigerian football as a player and his potential to lead the national team to success.

As the Super Eagles head coach, George faces immediate challenges, including guiding the team to victory in crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic. The team is currently lagging behind in third place in Group C of the African campaign.