Super Eagles Coach Eric Chelle Finally Speaks Out On 19 Requests Sent To NFF

According to Ireporter Online, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has addressed recent speculation regarding his future with the Nigerian national team, emphasizing that his request for improved pay and working conditions should not be interpreted as a threat to resign.

The Franco-Malian coach recently submitted a document to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) outlining a proposal to revise his monthly salary from $50,000 to $130,000, a figure intended to also cover the remuneration of his technical staff. The details of the document, which were leaked to the public, sparked intense scrutiny and speculation about Chelle’s commitment to the team.

Interest in Chelle’s services from European clubs and other national teams—including Olympique de Marseille, Tunisia, Angola, and his former employers, the Mali national team—further fueled rumors of a possible departure, following Nigeria’s third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Speaking on the Histoires de Foot Podcast, Chelle refuted claims that he had issued any ultimatum or leveraged Marseille’s interest in negotiations. “I have never gone to Nigeria to say I was going to leave for Marseille or to renegotiate everything. There is no interview or statement where I said I would go to Marseille or that I was threatening anyone,” he said.

Chelle confirmed that he remains under contract for another year and continues to fulfill his coaching duties, including meetings with his technical staff to prepare for upcoming March matches. The NFF has acknowledged receiving his 19-point proposal, which is now under review by the board.

Clarifying the proposed salary figure, Chelle noted, “When you talk about $130,000, first of all it’s not euros, it’s dollars. And what people don’t know is that in Africa, with the national teams I’ve worked with, I have to pay my technical staff myself. So all those people have to be paid, and those requests are simply to ensure I have the right conditions to do my job.”

Among his reported requests are a private SUV with chauffeur and security, accommodation in a secure area with stable electricity, a fully furnished tactical analysis office, flight tickets for his wife and children, and autonomy over team selection and friendly matches. The proposal also includes structured access to domestic league matches to support scouting for the senior and youth teams, as well as inclusion of his personal assistant in the bonus and allowance framework.

Chelle expressed concern over the leak of the document. “Today, if I’m being honest, I don’t really know. The first question I ask myself is how this document could have ended up in the media. That’s the question I’m asking myself,” he lamented.