Nigeria have appointed former Sweden boss Lars Lagerback as their new coach, beating Glenn Hoddle to the post.
Super Eagles appoint Swede
Nigeria have appointed former Sweden boss Lars Lagerback as their new coach ahead of the World Cup finals.
Despite qualifying for South Africa this summer, the Super Eagles dismissed coach Shuaibu Amodu after they failed to win the African Cup of Nations earlier this year.
Now Nigeria have appointed Lagerback, on an initial five-month deal, which will see him through the finals.
Lagerback was one of number of high-profile names linked with the post, and former England coaches Glenn Hoddle and Sven Goran Eriksson were both known to be keen.
But 61-year-old Lagerback - who resigned from his role with Sweden after failing to qualify for the World Cup finals - has now accepted the job.
Nigerian Football Federation spokesman Ademola Olajire confirmed that Lagerback had pipped Hoddle and Bruno Metsu to the role.
"In the early hours of this morning we appointed Lars Lagerback," said
Olajire.
"Previously Bruno Metsu was ahead, Glenn Hoddle took over on Wednesday but in the end it was Lagerback, who was interviewed last, who won it.
"He has now signed a five-month contract to take Nigeria to the World Cup."
Nigeria have been grouped with Argentina, Greece and South Korea at the finals.
