Finidi George: Former winger for Ajax and Ipswich Town named head coach of Nigeria

Finidi George has been named the new head coach of Nigeria.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday confirmed the 53-year-old as Jose Peseiro’s replacement. During his playing career, the man played for Ajax, Ipswich Town, Real Mallorca, and Real Betis.

At this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Peseiro managed Nigeria, who advanced to the final but fell to the hosts, Ivory Coast, 2-1. Peseiro oversaw the team for a total of 22 months until departing in February upon the expiration of his contract.

George was a member of Peseiro’s backroom crew and served as the team’s temporary manager during their March friendlies against Ghana and Mali. Since September 2021, he has also served as the head coach of Enyimba, a top-tier Nigerian football team.

George was a member of the Nigerian team that won the AFCON trophy in 1994 and won the Eredivisie title as well as the Champions League while playing for Ajax.

During Ipswich’s most recent top-flight season, he made 26 Premier League games and scored six goals.

George’s primary duties will be to see to it that Nigeria advances to both the 2026 World Cup and the upcoming AFCON, which is scheduled to take place in Morocco in 2025. Their June World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin will be his first official head coach matches.