Thomas Dennerby has indicated that a return to the Nigeria women’s national team cannot be ruled out after the Super Falcons coaching role became vacant.
The Swedish manager was in charge of Nigeria from January 2018 until October 2019, a period that brought significant success before his departure.
Quick facts
- Dennerby won the 2018 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria in Ghana.
- He took the Super Falcons into the last 16 at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.
- That was Nigeria’s first World Cup knockout-stage appearance since 1999.
His spell ultimately concluded after disputes concerning his working environment and contract. Dennerby departed before the agreement was due to expire.
Even so, the 67-year-old still appears to feel a close connection with the Nigerian side.
When asked whether he could return, Dennerby avoided openly declaring that he wanted the job, but equally did not dismiss the prospect.
“I can only say that the Super Falcons will always be very close to my heart,” he said.
The remarks come as Nigeria reviews its coaching options after Justine Madugu and his technical staff left their posts. Their exit followed Nigeria’s failure to reach the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time.
Dennerby’s familiarity with women’s football in Nigeria, together with the results achieved during his earlier tenure, could place him among the names considered for the vacant position.
For the moment, however, the Swede has offered no official expression of interest, leaving his words open to interpretation.
