Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro has reacted to news linking him with the vacant coaching role at Algeria for the Fennecs.
Peseiro, whose contract with the Nigeria National team seems to have come to a halt after the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations held in Ivory Coast, has been getting some attention, having led his Super Eagles side to the final of the competition and only losing to the hosts in the final.
After several months of exchanges and not getting paid, Peseiro got his contract renewed despite being owed salaries by Nigeria.
His work with the team seems to be paying off in what could be described as a decent outing on the Ivory Coast despite these challenges.
The 63-year-old is set to be a free agent at the end of the month, and whether he should get a new deal or if the Super Eagles need a new Nigeria coach, has been a popular topic of discussion.
With the 2026 World Cup qualifiers set to commence in June, AFCON 2025 qualifiers later this year, and then AFCON and the World itself over the next two years, the clock is ticking to appoint a Nigeria coach.
Nigeria coach Peseiro confirms Algeria approach
Peseiro, in a report by El Hayat TV channel, confirmed that he has been approached by the FA in Algeria but that a decision over whether he will stay on as Nigeria coach or not has not been made.
“I received a lot of offers after the African Cup final. I received an offer from the FAF but I will first rest and my agent will take care of it ,” he was quoted as saying.
Reports suggest that the Algeria FA offered Peseiro $90,000 a month as against Nigeria's $50,000 but his agent also confirmed the approach by the Algerian FA.
“We have not yet given a response to the FAF. José Peseiro is very tired, he must first rest and then we will decide his future. We will study Algeria's offer like all the other offers we have received,” he said.
Recently, the Algerian press raised the hypothesis that the interest of the FAF was mainly used by Peseiro as a means of pressure on the NFF to negotiate a salary increase and also to get an official extension.
Algeria make Nigeria coach Peseiro a priority
The Portuguese has received several offers for his services, including Algeria and the Egyptian side Zamalek SC.
Meanwhile, the FAF has been in the hunt to find a replacement for several weeks after sacking former international Djamel Belmadi as head coach of its national team.
The Desert Foxes have not won a game in the AFCON since the country won the title in 2019 when Egypt hosted, and that unwanted streak has seen the team fail to progress beyond the group stages in two successive Africa Cup of Nations.
Peseiro is being strongly considered as top priority but the FAF are considering other options if they fail to land him.
Vladimir Petkovic has also been mooted to take over the reins of the Fennecs, and another coach being reportedly mentioned for the role is Carlos Queiroz, a fellow Portuguese.
