BBC SPORT | Football | Africa | Gullit seeks Nigeria post

Former Dutch international Ruud Gullit has reportedly applied to coach the Nigerian national team.

The Nigerian Football Association's secretary general Taiwo Ogunjobi has been quoted as saying that Gullit was among a dozen foreigners to have declared an interest in the position.

Parreira applies for Nigeria job

"Yes, Gullit is the latest to signify interest in the job," said Ogunjobi.

Last week Ogunjobi revealed that French, Dutch, German, Ukrainian and Yugoslav nationals had applied for the technical advisor's job, after Nigeria reversed their decision not to hire an expatriate coach.

Surinam-born Gullit helped Holland win Euro '88 as a player and enjoyed a glittering career with PSV Eindhoven, AC Milan, Sampdoria and Chelsea.

Ruud Gullit in action for Holland
Gullit had an illustrious playing career with Holland
He went on to manage Chelsea and Newcastle United in the English Premiership.

And he was linked with the Nigeria job when they considered taking on a foreign coach shortly before the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea.

Brazil's 1994 World Cup-winning coach Carlos Alberto Parreira and little known Milorad Urukalo, who coached Australia's 2000 Olympic team, are also believed to have applied.

Soccer-mad Nigerians are passionately divided over the issue of whether to recruit a foreign coach for the national team.

The debate gained momentum again after their first-round World Cup exit.

Nigeria went to the finals under Adegboye Onigbinde, who stepped in at the last minute after Shaibu Amodu was sacked when they failed to reach the final of the African Nations Cup in February.

Nigeria lost to Argentina and Sweden and drew with England at the World Cup, failing to reach the second round for the first time in their three appearances at the finals.


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