Ex Chelsea Manager 'holds talks' with Nigeria over becoming manager in time for AFCON

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The former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss only joined Roma in the summer, but reports in Nigeria claims he has held talks over their vacant position on the eve of the African Cup of Nations

Mourinho held talks over the vacant Nigeria national team managerial position, according to the president of their football federation.

The Super Eagles are on the lookout for a new coach having sacked Gernot Rohr on the eve of next month’s African Cup of Nations.

Rohr had been in charge for five years, but was dismissed after their latest fixture saw them held to a draw by Cape Verde.

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) handed the head coach role to Augustine Eguavoen, but he looks unlikely be the man at the helm by the time the tournament kicks off in Cameroon in January.

NFF president Amaju Pinnick claimed they would appoint a new coach in the next week or two and appeared to suggest that Mourinho has been involved in discussions.

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“But we have spoken to three top coaches and [Jose] Peseiro, whose name has been going around, is one of the coaches and I can tell you he is a top coach.”

On Mourinho, who only became Roma boss during the summer, Pinnick added: “Of course Mourinho, I am not going to tell you we didn’t talk to Mourinho because we did and the (sports) minister also talked to Mourinho and there is nothing wrong with it.

“If the coach will give us the Nations Cup, he will be drafted in immediately. I am not going to tell you that it will be later, because of what essence is the recruitment? If the executive committee says yes and we are ready, what are we waiting for?

Of course Mourinho, I am not going to tell you we didn’t talk to Mourinho because we did and the (sports) minister also talked to Mourinho and there is nothing wrong with it.