Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has officially addressed the controversy surrounding his contract negotiations with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), following the public leak of his tactical and financial requirements. The Malian tactician has been in ongoing discussions with both the NFF and the National Sports Commission (NSC) since leading Nigeria to a podium finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. While rumors of his exit to various European clubs have circulated, Chelle clarified that his focus remains on securing the necessary administrative and logistical support required to manage a nation of over 250 million inhabitants effectively.
The leaked 19-point proposal, which surfaced across social media and major news outlets last week, outlined extensive requests including a private SUV with security, 24-hour electricity for video analysis, and flight tickets for his family. Most significantly, the document cited a $130,000 monthly salary—a figure that initially drew public backlash after being misreported as euros. Chelle took the opportunity during a recent appearance on the Histoires de Foot podcast to verify the authenticity of the documents while expressing profound dismay over how confidential internal communications could be accessed by the press.
“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 said.
The coach further demystified the financial aspect of the negotiation, clarifying that the $130,000 figure is intended to be distributed across his entire five-man technical team, which includes his first assistant, physical trainer, goalkeeper coach, and personal assistant. Under the current structure, Chelle is responsible for the direct remuneration of his staff, a factor he says many observers have misunderstood. By centralizing these costs into a single monthly payment, the coach argues he is simply advocating for a professional framework that allows his staff to focus entirely on on-field performance rather than personal financial stability.
As the NFF board reviews the “19-point mandate,” Chelle reaffirmed his commitment to the Super Eagles, noting that he is currently preparing the squad list for next month’s international fixtures in Jordan. Despite the “campaign of denigration” he feels has been fueled by the leak, the former Mali international remains optimistic about his future in Abuja. He stressed that these negotiations are typical for high-level football management and are aimed at ensuring the reigning African bronze medalists have the stability required to challenge for the 2027 AFCON and 2030 World Cup cycles.
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