Look Who Is Back: Gernot Rohr Returns To Management

Former Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has signed a three-year contract to take charge of the Benin Republic national team. The Franco-German coach will be unveiled by the Benin Football Federation during a press conference scheduled for Friday, according to La Nouvelle Tribune.

Gernot Rohr will replace former Benin international Moussa Latoundji, who has been in temporary charge of the Squirrels.

The 68-year-old was sacked by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in December 2021, despite helping the Super Eagles qualify for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and guiding the team to the final qualifying round for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Gernot Rohr has previously managed the Gabon, Niger Republic, and Burkina Faso national teams. His immediate task will be to help Benin qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The German tactician, who was appointed as the Super Eagles coach in August 2016, had a successful stint with Nigeria, leading the team to the 2018 World Cup in Russia. However, his side failed to progress beyond the group stage.

Under Rohr’s guidance, Nigeria finished third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, losing to eventual champions Algeria in the semi-finals before beating Tunisia in the third-place play-off.

The new appointment will be a fresh start for Rohr, who will be expected to use his vast experience to take the Benin Republic national team to new heights.