Former African Footballer of the year and , former assistant coach of the Super Eagles, Emmanuel Amuneke has been appointed as the new head coach of Heartland Football Club by Governor Hope Uzodinma led administration in Imo state .
Amuneke was unveiled by the governor on Monday at the Imo state government house in Owerri.
Uzodinma said the appointment of Amuneke “marks a renewed commitment to revitalise” Heartland FC.
“Amuneke’s remarkable career has made us incredibly proud, and his return to our State in this new role brings a wave of optimism. Heartland FC has faced a series of challenges in recent seasons, but this appointment marks a renewed commitment to revitalise the club,” the governor said.
“With Amuneke’s wealth of experience and indigeneship to the State, I am confident that this will be a turning point for Heartland FC, guiding it back to its winning ways and reigniting our collective passion for the team.”
Heartland suffered relegation at the end of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
However, the club reportedly acquired the slot of Beyond Limits FC, Lagos and will play in the NPFL for the 2024/2025 season.
Amuneke played for the Super Eagles of Nigeria for close to a decade before his retirement in 2004.
He took charge of Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets side that won the 2015 U-17 World Cup.
Amuneke was appointed the manager of Tanzania’s national team in 2018 and qualified the country for the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
He then coached Misr Lei Makkasa in 2021 before joining the Eagles as an assistant coach behind Augustine Eguavoen in 2022
