Onyemaechi, Otele face challenges after coaching changes

Super Eagles duo Bruno Onyemaechi and Philip Otele faced a new chapter at club level after Olympiacos and FC Basel both parted ways with their respective head coaches on Wednesday, September 10, 2026.

The coaching changes meant the Nigerian internationals had to adapt to new ideas and systems as they looked to establish themselves under new leadership at their respective clubs. Olympiacos announced the termination of their collaboration with José Luis Mendilibar, ending the Spaniard’s two-year spell in charge. The 65-year-old had enjoyed a successful tenure, notably guiding Olympiacos to UEFA Conference League glory in 2024.

Despite a positive start to the new Greek league campaign, where the club picked up seven points from their opening three matches, the decision to part ways with Mendilibar came after disappointment in Europe. Olympiacos was eliminated from the Champions League qualifiers by NEC Nijmegen, with a 2-1 aggregate loss. During Mendilibar’s time, Onyemaechi had become a regular, making 44 appearances across all competitions and recording two goal involvements. The defender now faces the challenge of adapting to a new tactical approach as the club seeks Mendilibar’s successor.

At FC Basel, Otele also faced a change in management as the Swiss champions dismissed head coach Stephan Lichtsteiner after just seven Super League matches, which included two consecutive home defeats. Assistant coach Luigi Nocentini was appointed temporarily while the club looked for a permanent replacement. Having featured in eight matches under Lichtsteiner, Otele will need to impress the new coach to secure a more consistent role in the squad.

While the circumstances surrounding the two managerial departures are different, both Onyemaechi and Otele now face the challenge of convincing new coaches of their value and quickly adapting to the tactical demands that accompany these changes. For Onyemaechi, the task will be to build on his 44 appearances under Mendilibar, while Otele will hope to leverage the arrival of a new coach to make a stronger impression at Basel. With the season still in its early stages, these coaching changes could serve as turning points for both players.