Eric Chelle Confirms He Made Requests in Super Eagles Contract Talks

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has confirmed that he submitted requests as part of his contract extension talks with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

In recent days, a confidential document detailing Chelle’s proposed terms for continuing as Nigeria’s national team coach was leaked on social media, sparking debate among fans and analysts. The leak came after Nigeria finished third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, a result that prompted the NFF to open discussions over extending Chelle’s stay despite him still having about a year left on his current contract.

Chelle, a Franco-Malian coach, explained that the 19-point proposal he submitted covered technical structure, working conditions and financial terms. Public attention, however, quickly focused on his request for an increase from a reported $50,000 monthly package to about $130,000, which drew strong reactions across Nigeria’s football community.

Speaking about the situation, Chelle admitted he was surprised that the private negotiation documents became public.

“Today, the first question I ask myself is how these documents ended up in the media,” Chelle said. “They are part of a negotiation, absolutely. There are many things in those requests. Look, if I’m being honest with you, I don’t really know. The first question I ask myself today is: how did these documents end up in the media?”

Chelle insisted that he neither leaked the document nor believes the NFF was responsible, leaving questions about people previously involved in his professional representation. The coach recently ended his relationship with his former agency before moving to Wilders Sport, a step he says was purely professional.

“As a man and as a coach, you don’t have unanimous support,” Chelle said. “I know that through my actions, some people like me and others like me less. So I’m the Nigerian national team manager, and I decided to give a new direction to my career. I made a choice.”

He explained that the agency change was aimed at helping him grow and reach a higher level in his career.

“I analysed the situation and told myself I need to put this structure around me that will allow me to reach the next level, with all the ambition that defines me, and with my vision of where I want to go. So maybe some people were hurt by that. If they think I disrespected them or undervalued their abilities, no, not at all. I simply decided to choose another agency that I identified with more and that would allow me to take a few steps forward. I’m not saying it was those people who leaked these documents, but my first question remains: how did these documents get out?”

Chelle also defended his salary request, noting that much of the proposed increase would cover the salaries of his technical staff, an expense that coaches in African national teams often pay themselves.

“When you look at the document and examine it carefully, in the end, what I asked for is nothing more than what I’m entitled to,” he said. “They are requests to ensure I have the right conditions to do my job. When you talk about $130,000, first of all, those aren’t euros, they are dollars. And what people don’t know is that in Africa, in the national teams I’ve been with, I have to pay my own technical staff.”

Chelle was appointed Super Eagles manager in January 2025 after impressing with Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations. Despite the controversy, contract negotiations with the NFF are expected to continue as both sides aim to build on Nigeria’s recent continental progress.