FIFA Suggest Winfried Schäfer As The New Warriors Coach, But Who Are The Other Shortlisted Candidates?

The world football body (FIFA) has urged the current ZIFA normalisation committee to look for a coach with a good track record ahead of undergoing the final phase of selecting the substantial coach for the Warriors on Monday 22nd July 2024.

According to Sundaymail.co.zw, A panel that includes experts from ZIFA, CAF and FIFA are scheduled to conduct interviews with the five shortlisted candidates this afternoon.

Spanish coach Gerard Nus (39), Germany trio of Winfried Schäfer (74), Michael Nees (56), Antoine Hey (54), and Brazilian Marcio Maximo Barcellos (62) are among the shortlisted candidates.

FIFA has reportedly asked ZIFA NC to look for a coach who has achieved something before, someone with a track record and not just any other coach,” a ZIFA source was quoted.

From the five shortlisted candidates, only Winfried Schäfer has the most successful record than the others having won the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon in 2002, runners up in FIFA Confederations Cup and South East Asian Championship with Thailand. He also won the Caribbean cup with Jamaica and won several trophies with different clubs.

But who are the other shortlisted candidates and how does their track records fare against Schäfer.

Below we take a look at the other four candidates who have been shortlisted.

Gerard Nus was recently the assistant manager of Gustavo Payet with the Greece national football team where he presided for 21 games under the former Uruguay international. The Spaniard holds a UEFA Pro license and has worked as a manager in different continents including Africa, Asia, America and Europe.

The young and dynamic coach started his career at Liverpool academy before elevated to Rafael Benítez’s coaching stuff, ending 2008–09 Premier League season in second place and advancing to the quarterfinals of the FA cup and the UEFA Champions League.

Nus is known for his aggressive and modern attacking style of play. He is also familiar with the African terrain having spent three years from 2014 to 2017 as an assistant coach for Avram Grant at the Ghana national team.

In addition, he has worked in Brighton Hove and Albion  (English Premier League), Melbourne Heart (A-League), Elche (La Liga), Rayo Vallecano (La Liga Smartbank), Rayo (NASL), Irtysh Pavlodar (Kazakhastan Premier League) and Eskilstuna (Allsvenskan).

For a coach who is still young and has plenty laying ahead of him, Nus’ CV has a lot to look forward to than that of Schäfer, even though the veteran gaffer holds a strong track record, Nus could go on to surpass that.

Antoine Hey a German international coach has worked with various national teams as a head coach including Myanmar national football team {MFF}, Rwanda, Kenya, Liberia, Gambia and Lesotho.

He has also served as a technical director for Bahrain and Libya national teams in 2015-16 and 2010- 2014 respectively.

Hey who favors a 4-3-3 attacking formation has managed  83 matches as the head coach so far in his career winning 15 matches and drawing 21.

Michael Nees The German international last worked as a manager for Kosovo national under-21 team.

Nees who will be turning 57-years-old on Tuesday 23rd July began his career as technical advisor for Japan national team. He went on to coach Seychelles and Rwanda in 2003-2004 and 2006-2007 respectively before going back to technical advisor role with South Africa and Israel in 2008-2009 and 2013-2014 respectively.

He has taken charge of 31 games at international level winning 11 losing 17. He uses a 4-4-2 formation most often.

Marceo Maximo Barcellos The Rio De Janero-born coach started his coaching career with Brazil under-17s and under-20s sides from 1992-93, bringing up future stars like Ronaldhino and Ronaldo.

On 29 June 2006, Máximo was appointed head coach of the Tanzania national team where he helped them to qualify for CHAN finals with only home grown players.

Maximo had been working as technical director to the Cayman Islands  for three-years when he rejected the offer of a ten-year extension and instead joined Scottish  club Livingston F. C on 5 June 2003. Máximo signed a one-year deal as head coach and became the first Brazilian to manage a British club.

Although his track record is not as impressive as Schäfer’s, Maximo’s pedigree is undoubted although he has managed 30 international matches winning eight and drawing five. As a Portuguese speaker, only luagauge barrier could be of disadvantage to the Brazilian mentor.

Maximo envisions leaving a legacy which will create conditions to develop players and build and create a style and brand of football that is synonymous with the country.

FIFA will cater for the Warriors coach’s package and are understood to be looking at splurging US$150 000 annually on his salaries.

The world football body’s head of development programmes for Africa Solomon Mudege is taking a huge interest and say in the matter.

A successful candidate will get a two year contract and begins his duties immediately as the Warriors prepare for the 2025 Morocco Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers that begins in September 2024 with a date against Kenya in Nairobi.

The Warriors are in group J alongside Cameroon, Namibia and Kenya.