Profiling Jose Peseiro, What He Can Bring to the Nigeria National Team

 

Has NFF Appointed Another Journeyman? What Difference Can Peseiro Make leading the Nigeria National Team? 

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have announced José Peseiro as Gernot Rohr's successor as Head Coach of Nigeria National team on an 12-month deal with a renewable option. CheerOnNigeria publisher Benson Chukwueke ponders on what Peseiro has to offer.

With NFF having appointed José Peseiro as the new Head coach of Nigeria national team on an 12-month deal, CheerOnNigeria publisher Benson Chukwueke  profiles Gernot Rohr's replacement and asks whether the 61-year-old is the man to bring exciting football and the next level of success to the Super Eagles

What is Jose Peseiro's Background?

Peseiro has a degree in physical education from the same university in Lisbon where José Mourinho gained his. He started coaching in the lower leagues before taking charge of Nacional, steering them into the Portuguese top flight in 2002. He worked as Carlos Queiroz's assistant at Real Madrid in 2003/04, returning back to Portugal after a season to lead Sporting CP.

However, despite playing some eye-catching football, the Lions finished third in Peseiro's debut campaign and lost the UEFA Cup final on home turf to CSKA Moskva. Sacked in the autumn of 2005, the well-travelled Peseiro has since coached al-Hilal, Panathinaikos, Rapid Bucureşti, Saudi Arabia, Braga, al-Wahda, al-Ahly, Sharjah, Vitória Guimarães, Sporting CP, and most recently the Venezuelan national team, where he terminated his contract due to long and outstanding unpaid wages

What will Be Peseiro's Mandate? 

Nigeria are in the hunt for the fourth African cup of nations trophy, but they must improve with the way they play if to win their fourth piece of silverware since the 2013 Afcon title. The Super Eagles will play in the African cup of nations in Cameroon this January 2022, but Peseiro will be more or less an observer. It will be an opportunity to know the boys, their playing style and mentality. The interim coach Austin Eguavoen will be in charge. 

Peseiro acid test will be the World Cup African play off in March 2022. This particular game will determine if his contract will remain relevant or not. Peseiro will have to get his message across to a team used to the philosophy and style of his German predecessor. But the question will be how much time does he have to be with the players before this make or Mar game in March? 

Peseiro's Football Philosophy. What He can bring?

First of all, Peseiro must win the confidence of his squad and the ever critical Nigerian fans. He will need time to implement his ideas, but there's no time here. He must be up and running. Peseiro teams are generally known for playing a vibrant brand of football, a free flowing midfield play with attacking orientationas was the case during his spells at Sporting and Braga, something that will be crucial to winning back the support of most of the Nigerian fans.

Peseiro has a fair knowledge of African football and his experience as assistant coach in Madrid – where he worked with plenty of big names  – should stand him in good stead. Peseiro knows how to motivate young players, he promoted such young players while at Sporting, where he gave João Moutinho his debut, so a chance for Rúben Neves and André Silva to establish themselves in the starting XI might not be far away. So, he is expected to blend very well with Super Eagles that has largely young players. 

Peseiro is well known for his dressing room motivational speeches. Pep talks that put fire in the boots of his players. His ability to read the game and make crucial changes that usually comes out successful is his greatest strength. 

Will He Succeed? Is He A Lucky Coach? 

Peseiro's only significant trophy as a coach is the 2012/13 League Cup he won during his sole season at Braga. One thing that has been levelled against Peseiro is that his sides have often fallen short at the crucial moments: Sporting having lost the leadership of the Liga in the same week as that UEFA Cup final defeat nearly 11 years ago, while Saudi Arabia failed to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup after conceding a 93rd-minute equaliser in a play-off against Bahrain.

We hope it won't be a deja vu for him in the case of Nigerian play off in March 2022. But I should say with his pedigree, Peseiro is not a LUCKY COACH.