Nigeria’s senior national team coach, Eric Chelle, has revealed his long-held ambition to become the first African to manage Spanish giants Real Madrid.
The Ivory Coast-born tactician, who played for Mali during his playing career, shared the revelation in an interview with RMC Sport.
“My biggest dream is to become Real Madrid’s first-ever African coach,” Chelle said.
At 48, Chelle continues to helm the Super Eagles despite falling short of winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy.
Under his guidance, Nigeria secured third place at the tournament, which was held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
Although his future with the Nigerian national team remains uncertain, sources indicate that he enjoys the support of most of the leadership within the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).
To realise his dream of coaching one of the world’s most prestigious clubs, Chelle will need to achieve major successes and establish himself among the top managers globally, proving his readiness to take on the challenge at Real Madrid.
