'There is a lot of pressure on Bruno' - Rohr explains why NFF hired English speaking German coach Labbadia

Former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has explained why the Nigeria Football Federation appointed Bruno Labbadia as the new coach of the senior national team. 

The former Bayern Munich striker is set to become the sixth German to handle the Super Eagles, following in the footsteps of 
Karl-Heinz Marotzke, Gottlieb Göller, Manfred Höner, Berti Vogts and Gernot Rohr.

Having previously coached Darmstadt 98, Greuther Fürth, Bayer Leverkusen, Hamburger SV, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Wolfsburg and Hertha BSC. the Super Eagles job is Labbadia's first managerial position outside of Germany.

Labbadia could be in the dugout next Saturday when the Super Eagles begin their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a home game against Rohr's Benin, before a trip to Rwanda on September 10.

"The German coaches have always done a first-class job and their reputation in Nigeria is good. That's why they were probably looking for a German coach again,"  Rohr told German television channel Sport1.

"I'm happy because we now have several German coaches in our group of four. The coach of Rwanda, Torsten Spittler, is also German. And I also have two assistants with German passports."

Labbadia  has been given the clear mandate to lead Nigeria to the 2026 World Cup in North America. 

After four matches in Group C of the qualifiers, the Super Eagles are fifth in the six-team table, trailing Rwanda, South Africa and Benin by four points. 

"There is a lot of pressure on Bruno, because Nigeria really wants to be at the 2026 World Cup. And of course they also have to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.

"My time in Nigeria was very nice. I made a lot of friends there and was also able to set a record for longevity with five years and four months," Rohr added.

Even with his limited background in African football, Rohr is confident that his fellow countryman will quickly adapt to his new role, noting that his ability to speak English will be an advantage.

"Bruno speaks English. A new adventure will certainly do him good, it is stimulating - especially abroad. But he has to adapt.

"Bruno will manage it. Nigeria has the best players in Africa. But unfortunately there are organizational problems.

"I hope they will treat Bruno well. It will be difficult to qualify for the World Cup. South Africa, Rwanda and we have four points more than Nigeria. But everything is still possible."

Bruno Labbadia has been without a job since 2023 when he was sacked by VfB Stuttgart.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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