Can Robson cope with Nigeria?

Got an opinion? Express it here. Each week we throw up a different subject to let followers of African football have their say. Some of your views will be read on Fast Track - the BBC's African sports programme.

Nigeria's FA has confirmed the appointment of Bryan Robson as their new manager.

Robson gets Nigeria job

Robson, 46, has never managed a national side but FA chairman Ibrahim Galadima said they have faith in his ability to give Nigeria a third African title.

Do you think that Robson, who has been out of work since English Premiership side Middlesbrough sacked him in 2001, will buckle under the weight of expectation in Nigeria?

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Or would you prefer to see a Nigerian coach in control of the team?

Has the FA acted in Nigeria's best interests?

No matter how controversial your views might be, use the form on the right to have your say.

The big question is who stands to gain from this appointment because it is certainly not the people of Nigeria.
Adeniji Alao, Kent, UK

Nigerians are impatient with failure because we have tasted success. The outcome of Robson's first two games will determine his future in Nigeria. My advice is that he should be firm and not allow himself to be negatively influenced by anybody.
Essien Idim, a Nigerian in the USA

This combination of an underhyped coach for the overhyped Super Eagles is a good humble brew that can launch our epileptic football to the next level, so grab your seats and enjoy the ride to glory. It will be nice to give full support to Bryan, his assistants and the NFA appointed local coaches.
Sonni, California, USA

Robson's success or failure with Nigeria will simply be a question of his ability to cope with the lapses within the administrative setup and how well he can build a good working relationship with the players and other coaches.
Imo-owo Mbede, Nigeria

It would be appreciated if Robson is given the opportunity to address the Nigerian public on what his plans are for the future of our football. I do not like the idea of a short-term coaching commitment, as it does not give him any time for him to prove his ability.
Michael Holmes, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The problem is not who we appoint as a coach but how he will cope with the indiscipline of the players and the NFA as a whole. Although there is little time before the Nations Cup, Robson will still get all the blame if we fail to win. We must give him time.
Victor Oguntolu, London, UK

Robson does not have what it takes to handle the Nigerian national team. Why has he not got another job in the UK since his sack? Nigeria should go for a more experienced manager who has worked in Africa. The English was of playing football will not suit our players.
Dikanna Monu, London, England

A week after announcing that he has been given the Eagles' job, the Englishman is yet to hear anything from his so-called employers as they, in turn, are waiting for their 'employers'. If that does not send any ominous signal to Robson about what he is going to face, then nothing will.
Emeka Ezeugwu, Lagos, Nigeria

If Robson were to be judged on his past coaching experience, then Nigeria is making a very serious mistake. But let's give Robson the benefit of the doubt. We can only judge him after six months. I wish Robson good luck because every football loving person in Africa is a coach.
Kofi, Accra, Ghana

Nigeria, as usual, expects a top coach to come in the space of three to four months and win the Nations Cup. Building a strong team takes time and requires patience. We should remember that Westerhof's achievements came after so many years.
Seun, Canada

I agree that Robson does not have managerial experience at international level. But did Clemens Westerhof have any before performing wonders with the Super Eagles?
Philip Osadinizu, Abuja, Nigeria

Simply put, the man is better than what we currently have in place. I believe Robson can get the job done and I wish him well at the helm.
Robert Fawehinmi, USA

He has the clout and charisma to command the respect of Nigerian players abroad. What our football needs now is a clear departure from our recent past of planless play.
Bamidele Adetunji, Lagos, Nigeria

The question I ask is not whether Robson is the man for Nigeria but whether Nigeria is the country for any foreign coach. With little time ahead of the Nations Cup, they're headed for more disappointment and Robson will unfairly get the sack. But I wish him well.
Heine Nzumafo, USA

This appointment is a big mistake from the NFA. But they never learn. Robson is a guy who hasn't got a sound track record as a manager, although he was a good player. I foresee his failure unless something magical happens.
Remi Oliyide, London, UK

I am at a loss as to why the NFA would want to go with a manager who has no international experience and has not managed to hold down a coaching job for the last two years. The country has the potential to be a major force within the African continent and the world at large. But after three successive World Cups, we still have not learnt our bitter lessons.
Michael Tayo, London, England

Nigeria has quality players who can make average coaches look world-class. The problem with every single one of the coaches we have ever had is that they have to work with the inept NFA. Lets keep our fingers crossed. A handful of bad results and he's out of this job. A few good results will mean Robson might stay in Nigeria long enough to pick up a tan.
Chinedu, UK

The NFA should have found somebody who can teach them how to be organised. The appointment of Bryan Robson is another testimony that they are an assembly of jokers. God help us.
Frank Oboh, Indianapolis, USA

I don't see how anyone can hire someone who couldn't get a job coaching a sunday pub team for the last two years and hope to be competing successfully in world football. The only excuse I can come up with for this appoinment is that the "interviewers" probably thought they were talking to Sir Bobby Robson.
Adebayo, London, England

Robson could succeed with the pedigree of players at his disposal. But he must understand that Nigeria is not England. Our style of play and, most importantly, management style differs from the country he played in and has managed a clubside. He must also forget the fact that several Nigerian players work in England and not ignore the local coaches like Christian Chukwu, who could give him a lot of support. But winning the next African title with Robson at the helm? That is a dream. The best that fans of Nigerian football can hope for is a respectable showing.
Ujunwa, Boston, USA

I do not know Robson's medical history but should he decide to take on this job he should consult his doctor to make sure that he is not prone to heart attacks. First of all, his salary will not be paid when due. Secondly, he may not have the free hand to do his job and above all, the NFA that is perenially short of money will not give him the support to do his job.
Elochukwu Okafor, a Nigerian in the USA

I hope that the Nigerian FA realise the fact that they have been toying with the future of Nigerian football for a long time and we (the fans) are fed up with their decisions which reveal their shallow knowledge of the game. Nigerian football will only thrive if the right people are put in the right place.
Louis Mbibi, Minnesota, USA

The appointment of Robson is clear indication that there is something deeply wrong with us Nigerians. I don't care about this man's record (which seems to be everyone's concern here) but why appoint a man that did not even apply for the job?
Ochuko, Toronto, Canada

Let me remind the Nigerian FA of this Igbo saying that "he who does not know where the rain started falling on him is a fool." Why is it so difficult for the FA to realise that foreign coaches are not ideal for Nigeria?
Bongani Sibisi, South Africa

Robson should think twice before accepting the job because there are people that will make his life pretty miserable if he comes here.
Ayodeji Ajayi, Lagos, Nigeria

Forget about international experience, forget about his track record, Mr. Robson is hired to be fired. Nigeria's style of play matches everyone else's but England's.
Ladi Soyomokun, Atlanta, USA

It doesn't matter that Robson has not managed a 'big team' in England. He is the right man for the job, as the majority of our players are based in England and camping can easily be arranged there prior to the Nations Cup. I think he will be of great assistance in developing our football and will have a positive impact on the local coaches. I hope that Christian Chukwu will be retained in the coaching crew, even if Robson is coming with his assistants.
Oloyede Ayodele, Lagos, Nigeria

Soccer in Nigeria has advanced well beyond what Robson has to offer. Chukwu, the man now relegated to be the Englishman's side kick and the last two indigenous coaches who were in charge have far more experience than Robson, who struggled with a middle-of-the-table side like Middlesbrough. With this decision coming a few days after the Nigerian government decides to withdraw their bid to host the 2010 World Cup only makes one wonder about kind of people that run the country.
Dapo Nadi, Essex, UK

I disagree with my old friend Dapo Nadi. I believe Robson will be good for Nigeria. What he will bring to the team is discipline and organisation. There is no doubt that we have talented footballers, but our major downfall has been the lack of discipline and organisation in our play. We should learn from our neighbours Cameroon.
Kayode Okunola, Surrey, UK

Bryan Robson is the right man for this job. He has played in several World Cups, captained the English team and has a good coaching experience. He is the man to restore pride to Nigerian football.
Edwin Onugha, USA

Once again, the NFA is experimenting at a crucial time. Robson has no track record as a national team manager, has been without a coaching job since 2001 and is expected to perform wonders and lift the Nations Cup next year. I really hope he performs well.
Roger, Algeria

Robson is not the best choice for Nigeria. He has never coached a national side nor has he worked in Africa. They should have gone for somebody who is experienced and has deep knowledge of the African game. I predict that he will fail.
Angwenyi Kijana, Nyamira, Kenya

I do not feel that Bryan Robson is the right man for Nigeria. First of all, the Super Eagles do not play like the English. They play a tactical game that resembles Brazil's. I don't understand what the NFA is doing. Couldn't they have recruited a credible coach from elsewhere? In any case, Nigeria has had problems with several foreign coaches, so let's hope this choice will work.
Enobong Ekpro, Mississippi, USA

The appointment symbolises all that is wrong with the management of Nigerian football. Imagine appointing a guy who virtually has no track record at club level, not to talk about national level. I have no confidence in the appointment. I hope Bryan proves me wrong and pleasantly surprises us.
Ayo Odelusi, London, UK

The Nigerian FA has made a terrible mistake appointing Robson as the national coach. He has no experience at international level.
Otunde, Nigeria

Bryan Robson may be a good coach, but we don't play with an English system. We need a coach from Holland or Germany.
Babachidi, South Africa

I think he will be a success but my only fear is the FA. If he can work with them, he has a bunch of footballers who can boost his cv and make the country proud. Don't forget that he is going to a sophisticated footballing country, not a country where he has to start teaching players the basic rules of the game.
Seye Oyeleye, London, UK

I think Robson is the right man for the job. He knows the game well and will restore dignity to Nigerian football.
Okwuoma, USA