Nigerian FA confirms Eric Chelle will remain Super Eagles coach amid growing interests

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau insists Eric Chelle will remain as head coach of the Super Eagles, downplaying speculation surrounding the future of the trainer.

Uncertainty over Chelle’s position intensified following the conclusion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) last month.

The former Mali tactician has attracted interest from clubs and national teams including Olympique Marseille after steering the Super Eagles to a third place finish at the continental showpiece last month.

Despite rumors linking Chelle with a potential exit, Gusau made it clear that the coach still has one year remaining on his contract and is not under any obligation to leave.

“We still have a one-year contract with Eric and therefore whatever anyone will show on him, he has to wait until his contract expires. We don’t want to bring any distraction to him because we understand that he enjoys working with Nigeria,” Gusau said.

Gusau also stressed that coaching decisions are not purely financial, suggesting that professional ambition and the right working environment matter just as much as salary.

“It’s not just about a team being interested in you. The question is whether they have the materials for him to work with to achieve what he wants. Every coach dreams of achieving success, especially in major tournaments”

“It’s not about the money. The issue is whether he can achieve his career goals there, or if he is just going for the money.”

With Chelle’s contract expiring early 2027, the Nigeria FA has moved to tie down the tactician beyond.