The new Super Eagles coach, German tactician Bruno Labbadia, comes from a family with deep Italian roots. His family’s origins trace back to Lenola, a quaint town in Italy. Labbadia’s parents, Italian immigrants, moved to Germany as guest workers and settled in Hesse.
Bruno grew up in a large family with eight siblings, living on a rented farm before relocating to Weiterstadt when he was ten.
He was born on February 8, 1966, in Darmstadt, Germany and holds a UEFA Pro License.
Despite his strong Italian heritage, Labbadia chose to embrace his German identity fully. At 18, he became a German national. This change allowed him to secure a spot in the squad of SV Darmstadt 98, giving way to a non-German player.
He represented Germany at the U21 level on six occasions and twice at the senior level. Alongside his football career, he also trained as an insurance salesman, having acquired his secondary school leaving certificate, showcasing his versatility both on and off the pitch.
Labbadia enjoyed a prolific career in German football, amassing an impressive 229 goals in 599 appearances across all competitions. His ability to find the back of the net was evident throughout his career, with standout seasons such as 1986-87, where he scored 21 goals for Darmstadt 98, and 1998-99, when he netted 29 goals for Arminia Bielefeld.
Labbadia’s goal-scoring prowess wasn’t limited to just these clubs. He also had successful stints with top Bundesliga sides, including Bayern Munich and Hamburger SV, further solidifying his reputation as a reliable forward. His knack for scoring in critical moments, such as his two goals in the 1989-90 DFB-Pokal final for FC Kaiserslautern, made him a valuable asset to every team he played for.
Labbadia’s managerial journey has taken him to the helm of some of Germany’s most prestigious clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen, Hamburger SV, and VfL Wolfsburg.
He steered Stuttgart to a commendable sixth-place finish in the Bundesliga in 2011/2012, earning them a spot in the following season’s UEFA Europa League.
His impressive feats include saving Hamburg from the drop in 2015 and steering Wolfsburg clear of danger in 2018.
Labbadi’s immediate challenge is to take charge of the three-time African champion for two 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic (Saturday September 7 in Uyo) and Rwanda (Tuesday, September 10 in Kigali), with four other matches to conclude the qualifying race following in the months of October and November.