Amidst the clamor for a new Nigeria coach to steer the Super Eagles, Michael Nsien, the United States U-19 national team coach, emerges as a compelling contender.
With a blend of Nigerian heritage and American coaching acumen, Nsien presents a unique perspective on reviving the Super Eagles' prowess on the global stage.
In a recent interview with News Central, Nsien outlined his vision for rejuvenating the Super Eagles, emphasizing the importance of striking a balance between defensive solidity and attacking flair.
Reflecting on past strategies, Nsien criticized the previous coach's overly defensive approach at the last major competition – the recently concluded AFCON in Ivory Coast, highlighting Nigeria's abundance of attacking talent.
“We have too many top attacking players to sit back and take pressure,” Nsien asserted, underlining his commitment to unleashing the team's offensive potential while maintaining defensive discipline.
“On my playing style, you have got to be flexible at times though but with the quality of player profiles that we currently possess, we have to be able to dominate and play attacking football. It should be us always on the front foot especially against other African opponents,” said the Akwa Ibom indigene.
“Flexibility then comes in against other big teams from Europe and the world where you have to study and see where and how you can hurt your opponents. But against African teams, we must start well, keep possession, attack and ensure that we score goals because we have too much quality in the attacking third,” he added.
Michael Nsien's football journey
Nsien's journey from a Nigerian-American upbringing to coaching the US U-19 national team is marked by a deep-rooted passion for football. Raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Nsien recalls witnessing Nigeria's inaugural FIFA World Cup match in 1994, igniting his fervor for the Super Eagles.
Despite not donning the national team jersey during his playing days, Nsien's connection to Nigerian football runs deep, fueled by memories of that historic moment at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas.
Michael was part of the Nigerian under 23 team in 2003 that tried to qualify for the Olympic games in Athens the following year but failed as a group. Since then, he just enjoyed his football till he went into youth coaching and he has been doing that for over ten years.
He then went into the professional game as a head coach for over five years and has been with the US Soccer federation in the last two years.
Nsien started with the under 16s, promoted to the under 19s and is now with the under 20s. He also serves as an assistant to the USMNT (the senior team).
“My heart is with my fatherland (Nigeria). I am happy with my position in the United States for sure but of course an opportunity with the Nigerian national team and with the World Cup happening in the USA in 2026, maybe the stars are aligning and I think I am the candidate that lives in the best of both worlds.
As he transitions from player to coach, Nsien draws inspiration from pioneering tacticians like Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola, who have reshaped the game with their innovative approaches. “I admire anyone who is brave enough to change the game,” Nsien remarks, highlighting his willingness to embrace progressive strategies to propel Nigerian football forward.
Nsien's attraction to the Super Eagles coaching role
With the Nigeria coaching vacancy attracting a pool of seasoned contenders, including former national team stars and international coaches, Nsien remains undeterred by the stiff competition. Confident in his credentials, he asserts, “I am the best of both worlds.” Leveraging his Nigerian-American background, Nsien brings a unique blend of cultural insight and coaching expertise to the table.
“I agree with those who say that the Super Eagles coaching role is pretty exciting 100%. The talents can't be denied and the so-called smaller countries on the continent have done a whole lot of good in the last decade with their football if we must be honest. There is still a lot to be done though and we need to shift at least by 180 degrees to get closer.
“What we should be looking at is a template that works across all teams from the youth to the senior teams and we shouldn't be looking for coaches every year, what we should be doing is to stay consistent and see our footballers develop all through the ranks. Coaching the national team is just one part, to actually coordinate the entire football structure should also be looked at,” Michael remarked.
Comparing the work systems in both worlds
Nsien's coaching philosophy is shaped by his experiences working in top-tier football environments, where cutting-edge technology, robust scouting networks, and collaborative coaching frameworks are the norm.
Drawing parallels between his current role with the US U-19 team and the potential leadership of the Super Eagles, Nsien envisions bridging the gap between Nigeria's football infrastructure and global standards.
“The resources in the United States are vast, you can't say the same about Nigeria. I think Nigeria needs someone with fresh ideas and I think based on what they are looking out for in a coach, it pretty much sums me up. I work with one of the most resourceful federations and I think with my experience, I can find the right coaching solutions to what is currently being seen in Nigeria.
“I know where we are at in Nigerian football, and I know the gap that exists. I can bridge the gap and help us reach the level that we should be at in world football,” he affirms.
Beyond his tactical acumen, Nsien's candidacy is anchored in a deep sense of responsibility towards Nigerian football. Expressing his desire to uplift the nation's spirits through footballing success, he states,
“It's time to change course and move forward. I want to put smiles on the faces of our people.”
Next Nigeria coach: Is Nsien a perfect fit for the Super Eagles?
As the Nigerian Football Federation deliberates over the appointment of the next Super Eagles head coach, Nsien's candidacy offers a compelling narrative of hope and renewal especially for players on the homefront.
“First, we have to be honest with ourselves, there is an issue with the NPFL as regards its marketability and what can be done to fix it and it can be compared based on what is being seen across countries where football has developed. But for players based in Nigeria, it won’t be an issue at all if we have a fixed number of the players in the national team setup.
“I feel automatically, there should be a fixed 3-4 minimum spaces to be in the national team space so it will inspire everyone looking to be a part of the team.”
With his blend of cultural affinity, coaching prowess, and unwavering determination, Nsien emerges as a beacon of optimism for Nigerian football enthusiasts worldwide.
As he awaits the outcome of the selection process, Nsien remains steadfast in his belief that he is the catalyst needed to reignite the Super Eagles' soaring spirit by stating that he can win the next AFCON in Morocco next year and also looking forward to playing at the World Cup in North America with him being on the sidelines coaching the team from his fatherland.
