Ex-international Mutiu Adepoju has expressed interest in coaching the Super Eagles following the resignation of Finidi George.
Adepoju, who was part of the Nigerian team that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and played with the Flying Eagles at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, has stated he is open to coaching the Super Eagles if the opportunity arises.
The former Real Madrid star, who holds a UEFA Pro Coaching License, revealed his willingness to return to coaching on the Managing Madrid podcast, hinting at the possibility of taking over the vacant coaching position for the Super Eagles.
“We had several players in the Castilla team who are brilliant coaches today, and we didn’t see it at the time. I have a UEFA Pro license myself, so if there’s an opportunity, I wouldn’t mind. I’m open. I once coached Shooting Stars in Nigeria, but I haven’t coached since then,” Adepoju said.
The 53-year-old was part of Nigeria’s squads for the FIFA World Cups in 1994, 1998, and 2002.
Adepoju earned 48 caps for the national team, scoring six goals. He made his debut against Togo in August 1990, but his breakthrough came during the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations, where he helped Nigeria secure the continental title.
The Ibadan-born midfield maestro spent most of his active football career in Spain, playing for Racing Santander and Real Sociedad after leaving Real Madrid. He also had a brief stint in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad before moving on to Turkey, where he played for Samsunspor.
Adepoju is regarded as one of the best Real Madrid Castilla midfielders of all time. After being scouted during a stellar youth World Cup with Nigeria, the powerhouse midfielder scored 17 goals from center-midfield, helping Castilla win the Segunda División B title, one of only eleven trophies in their entire history.
