I Am Still Eagles Coach – Chelle Speaks On Salary Demand

I Am Still Eagles Coach – Chelle Speaks On Salary Demand
Salary proposal includes payment for technical staff
NFF reviewing 19 point request document

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has clarified that his request for improved pay and working conditions should not be interpreted as a threat to resign.

The Franco Malian tactician has faced scrutiny after details of a document he submitted to the Nigeria Football Federation were leaked. In the proposal, Chelle sought a review of his monthly salary from 50,000 dollars to 130,000 dollars, explaining that the amount would also cover the wages of his technical crew.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that speculation intensified after he was linked with Olympique de Marseille and reportedly attracted interest from Tunisia, Angola and his former employers, the Mali national team. The attention followed Nigeria’s third place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

However, Chelle denied issuing any ultimatum or using external interest as leverage.

Speaking on the Histoires de Foot Podcast, he said: “I have never gone to Nigeria to say I was going to leave for Marseille or to renegotiate everything. There is no interview or statement where I said I would go to Marseille or that I was threatening anyone.

“At the moment we’re speaking, of course, I am still the coach of Nigeria. I still have one year left on my contract. In fact, I was in a meeting via video with my technical staff to work on the squad list for the March matches. So yes, I am still the coach of Nigeria.”

The federation confirmed receipt of his 19 point proposal, noting that the requests remain subject to board approval.

Chelle said the reported figure does not reflect the full context. “When you talk about 130,000 dollars, first of all it’s not euros, it’s dollars. And what people don’t know is that in Africa, with the national teams I’ve worked with, I have to pay my technical staff myself. So all those people have to be paid, and those requests are simply to ensure I have the right conditions to do my job.”

His reported demands include secure accommodation, official vehicle, improved logistics, structured scouting access and operational autonomy. He also questioned how the confidential document reached the media.

“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,” Chelle said.