Eric Chelle demands sweeping new terms, including uninterrupted electricity, to remain Super Eagles coach [FULL LIST]

Eric Chelle’s future as Nigeria’s head coach has come under renewed scrutiny following revelations of an extensive 19-point contract proposal submitted to the Nigeria Football Federation, even as his attempt to secure the managerial post at Olympique de Marseille collapsed.

The 48-year-old Malian had set his sights on a return to French club football after Olympique de Marseille parted ways with Roberto De Zerbi in the aftermath of a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in Le Classique.

Chelle reportedly applied for the vacancy, hoping to leverage his growing continental reputation, but the Ligue 1 side ultimately opted for former Senegal international Habib Beye, handing him a one-and-a-half-year contract.

Sources close to the French club indicated that Chelle did not fit the desired managerial profile despite guiding Nigeria to a third-place finish at the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. His candidacy, insiders suggest, was never seriously advanced beyond preliminary consideration.

Subtle pressure or strategic positioning?

Behind the scenes, Chelle’s interest in the Stade Vélodrome role appears intertwined with strained contract discussions in Abuja. On January 22, 2026, he formally presented a comprehensive extension proposal to the Nigeria Football Federation.

At its core was a request to increase his monthly remuneration from $50,000 to $130,000, a package he clarified would cover his entire technical team and personal assistant. The figure contrasts with earlier reports that cited a lower demand.

Multiple sources familiar with the matter believe the application to Marseille may have served a dual purpose. While reflecting genuine ambition to manage at the highest European level, it also signaled a firm negotiating stance toward the federation.

Chelle’s camp has privately maintained that the expanded financial package aligns with modern coaching structures and competitive international standards.

In a further indication of calculated repositioning, the Franco-Malian recently ended his professional association with long-time representative Sidibe Abraham Brehima and signed with Wilders Sport. Sidibe had previously overseen his appointments with both Mali and Nigeria after his departure from US Boulogne in 2021.

Chelle’s 19-point proposal to the Nigeria Football Federation

Investigations reveal that the coach’s submission to the NFF went far beyond salary adjustments. The document outlined structural, logistical and administrative conditions designed to reshape his working environment. The demands include:

1. Provision of a private SUV with chauffeur and dedicated security
2. A house in a well-secured environment with 24-hour uninterrupted electricity
3. A furnished office equipped with a projector for tactical analysis
4. Dedicated internet access
5. Flight tickets for his wife and two children, with business class for Chelle and his wife and economy for the children
6. GPS provision
7. Supply of proper training and match equipment in accordance with the coach’s specifications
8. Authority to determine international friendly matches based on opponents
9. Clearly structured camping programmes
10. Permission to initiate youth development programmes
11. Provision to travel abroad to scout, monitor and engage eligible national team players
12. Provision to attend local league matches to identify talents for the senior team and age-grade sides
13. Guaranteed non-interference in team selection and player call-ups
14. Formal working contracts for all his technical staff
15. Salary payments on or before the 30th of every month
16. Bonuses and allowances structured in line with federation policy
17. Inclusion of his personal assistant in the bonus and allowance framework
18. A consolidated monthly salary of $130,000 covering himself, technical staff and personal assistant
19. Monthly coordination meetings involving all national team coaches

Collectively, the proposal represents one of the most detailed and far-reaching demands made by a national team coach in recent Nigerian football history.

INSIDER REPORT: Following my in-depth investigation and thorough fact-checking, as promised, I present Coach Eric Chelle’s 19-point conditions for a contract extension, formally submitted to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on January 22, 2026. The document is published in… pic.twitter.com/WdZvJmot0x

— Shina Oludare 🇳🇬 (@sportingshina) February 19, 2026

A crossroads moment for the Super Eagles boss

Chelle’s long-term aspirations extend well beyond West Africa. Shortly after securing bronze at AFCON, he openly declared his ambition to become the first African coach to manage Real Madrid.

The statement, delivered in an interview with RMC Sport, underscored both his confidence and his appetite for elite European challenges.

For now, however, his immediate reality lies with the Super Eagles. The NFF has yet to publicly endorse or reject his full list of conditions, and attempts to obtain official clarification have yielded no definitive response.