Jose Peseiro’s tenure as Super Eagles manager has come to an end after the expiration of his contract.
The Portuguese tactician made the announcement of his departure on his X account.
Peseiro took charge of the Eagles from Augustin Eguavoen in May 2022 and despite criticism of his management style, led Nigeria to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations where they reached the final and lost to hosts Ivory Coast.
Peseiro’s contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has always been a topic of discussion, with reports of him being owed backlog of salaries.
Yesterday, we concluded our contract with the NFF. It was a pride and honor to coach the Super Eagles. It has been 22 months of immense dedication, sacrifice, emotion, and enormous enthusiasm. We feel a sense of fulfillment.
— Jose Peseiro (@JosePeseiro) March 1, 2024
He leaves in the middle of Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign where they have drawned their first two games.
Peseiro has been subject to interest from other countries since leading Nigeria to the 2023 AFCON final and recently revealed that as much as seven teams reached out to him for his services. One of such rumoured teams were Algeria who have since employed Vladimir Petkovic as new coach.
In view of Peseiro’s free agent status, Afrosport takes a look at the previous national teams the Portuguese has managed. The 63-year-old has been in charge of Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Nigeria.
Saudi Arabia
Peseiro took charge of Saudi Arabia in 2009 and made a big statement in his debut match when the Saudis defeated rivals Iran 2-1 away from home in the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers for their first-ever on Iranian soil. It also ended Iran’s unbeaten home run after almost 40 games.
Peseiro was unable to lead Saudi Arabia to the 2010 World Cup and was dismissed from his role after the Saudis lost 2-1 to Yemen in their 2011 Asian Cup group opener.
He managed a total of 23 games with Saudi Arabia, winning 10, drawing nine and losing four.
Venezuela
Peseiro became Venezuela manager in February 2020 and his first game was a 3-0 away loss at Colombia in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in October that year.
His first and only win was a 2-1 win over Chille the following month.
Peseiro oversaw Venezuela’s 2021 Copa America campaign where they recorded two draws and as many losses to finish bottom of Group B behind Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.
He resigned in August 2021 over reportedly unpaid wages for more than a year.
Peseiro managed a total of 10 games with Venezuela, winning just one, drawing three and losing six.
Nigeria
Peseiro became Super Eagles manager in May 2023 after Eguavoen failed to lead the Super Eagles to the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals.
After two friendly losses to Mexico and Ecuador in May and June, his competitive tenure began with victories over Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, the latter ending in the a 10-0 away victory.
Friendly defeats to Algeria and Portugal in September and November left a bad taste in the mouth of fans and was further compounded when Guinea-Bissau defeated the Super Eagles 1-0 in Abuja during the AFCON 2023 quarter-finals.
Nigeria made it to the finals in the Ivory Coast and claimed the silver medal which some did not expect.
Peseiro managed a total of 22 games with Nigeria, winning 11 of them, drawing four and losing seven.
Clubs managed
Aside from his international career, Peseiro has a lengthy career at club level, manging 14 clubs which began in 1992 after he retired as a professionalplayer.
Some of the notable clubs managed are Nacional, Braga, Porto, Sporting CP and Porto in his native Portugal.
He has also managed Rapid Bucurest in Romania, Panathinaikos in Greece, Al Ahly in Egypt, Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal and Al Wahda in the United Arab Emirates.
