Mikel Obi compares Austin Eguavoen to Carlo Ancelotti
Former Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi has lavished praise on Augustine Eguavoen, drawing a comparison between the Super Eagles’ interim coach and renowned Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti.
This commendation comes on the back of Nigeria’s impressive performances in the ongoing AFCON 2025 qualifiers, where they secured victory against Benin Republic and a draw vs Rwanda in Kigali.
Mikel, who has played under top managers during his illustrious career—including Ancelotti at Chelsea—expressed admiration for Eguavoen’s management style.
Speaking on his podcast, Mikel stated: “He reminds me so much of Carlo Ancelotti, no jokes. His man management is top, he speaks to players really well, he’s so humble, communicates with players, and gets them on his side. That is so important.”
The comparison to Ancelotti, a five-time Champions League-winning coach with Real Madrid and AC Milan, reflects the high regard Mikel holds for Eguavoen’s approach.
Mikel elaborated on the similarities, noting Eguavoen’s ability to create a relaxed and open environment for players to express themselves on the field. “He gives you all the freedom in the world to express yourself. He speaks to you really well—fantastic guy, lovely guy,” Mikel added.
The former Chelsea midfielder has a personal history with Eguavoen, having played under him during his early years with Nigeria’s U-17 squad. “Eguavoen coached me when I was a kid in the U-17s and took us to the World Cup,” Mikel recalled, emphasising the long-standing relationship between them.
Despite the challenges that come with being an interim coach, Mikel praised Eguavoen for his ability to get the best out of the Super Eagles in a short period. “You can see it coming in on such short notice and getting the team to play so well,” Mikel observed. “It’s about the communication and the man management, making the players so relaxed so they can perform.”
Mikel’s admiration for Eguavoen comes at a critical moment for the Super Eagles, who have faced uncertainty regarding their coaching situation. With no permanent head coach in place, Eguavoen’s leadership has become a topic of debate, with growing calls for him to remain in charge.
“There is so much going on—every time you come into the national team, there is a new manager, and it’s difficult to know how to deal with that,” Mikel said, acknowledging the instability. Despite these difficulties, Mikel believes Eguavoen has managed to create a positive environment for the team to thrive.
The Super Eagles’ recent results reflect this, as they demonstrated resilience and tactical discipline to secure wins against a “very stubborn” Benin side. Mikel pointed out the players’ “great attitude and motivation” as key factors in their success, giving credit to Eguavoen for setting the right tone.
With AFCON 2025 qualification within reach, Mikel’s endorsement of Eguavoen adds fuel to the argument that the former Super Eagles coach could be the right man to lead Nigeria in the future. The Nigerian football community will be watching closely to see if Eguavoen’s Ancelotti-esque approach can continue to steer the national team to success.
