Manchester United coach on list of candidates for surprise job ahead of AFCON qualifiers

Manchester United coach Steve McClaren could return to full-time management with a new job offer potentially in the pipeline.

It comes as a bit of a surprise but Erik ten Hag’s currently No.2 at United, McClaren, has suddenly become a contender for the role as head coach of Nigeria.

We don’t mean it’s a surprise in the sense that McClaren is unworthy because that certaintly is not the case. McClaren was Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant manager for the famous Treble winning season and has experience managing a national side from coaching England from 2006 to 2007.

McClaren also had Ten Hag as his No.2 when he was made FC Twente manager in the Dutch League, so he pushed himself out of his comfort zone.

According to Nigerian publication SoccerNet, the 63-year-old has been tipped for the vacant role after Finidi George left the position in June. McClaren is among a list of candidates that include former Ivory Coast and Zambia AFCON-winning boss Herve Renard and Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet.

With the AFCON qualifiers getting underway in September, Nigeria intends to have someone in place by by then.

The report adds that NFF chiefs have already raised concerns about McClaren having not managed in Africa before – not that I think that would be an issue for him.

But, at this stage of his career, is that a move McClaren is likely to take? That’s why the news comes as a surprise to us. I would be shocked if it happened.

If he was to take the job, McClaren would inherit a talent squad consisting of Victor Omsihen, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi.

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