ERIC CHELLE ‘BETRAYED’ SUPER EAGLES, APPLIED FOR NEW JOB WHILE UNDER CONTRACT

ERIC CHELLE ‘BETRAYED’ SUPER EAGLES, APPLIED FOR NEW JOB WHILE UNDER CONTRACT
Reports emerging across Nigerian sports media suggest that Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has quietly applied for a managerial vacancy at French Ligue 1 club Olympique de Marseille despite still being under contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) sparking claims the coach “betrayed” the national team. This follows a career that has been both praised for Nigeria’s results and criticised for strained relations with the NFF over salary and contract conditions. According to sports outlet Afrik-Foot, Chelle formally submitted an application for the vacant Marseille managerial post while still committed to the Super Eagles job. The report claims a 19-point proposal intended to secure a contract extension with Nigeria was rejected by the NFF. Some think that rejection paired with salary demands may have prompted Chelle to explore foreign options.
Central to his pitch was a request to raise his pay to around $130,000 per month, significantly above current terms, with expanded autonomy and support for his technical staff.
After the extension talks stalled and ties with his previous agent were severed, Chelle signed with Wilders Sport, a French-based agency intent on positioning him for opportunities abroad.
Chelle’s contract with the Nigeria Football Federation, which still has about a year to run, has been the centre of intense negotiation and media speculation in recent weeks:
Reports say Chelle has demanded a massive salary increase to remain coach. Earlier links to a possible Marseille appointment were strong enough that he signed with a new agent to bolster his European prospects. However, Marseille ultimately appointed another coach, former Senegal international Habib Beye, effectively ending their pursuit of Chelle undercutting his reported bid while under contract. Supporters of Chelle see his efforts as an attempt to advance his career and leverage his strong performance with Nigeria including leading the Super Eagles to third place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and solid results in other competitions. Critics, however, argue that seeking another job before settling contract issues with the NFF especially without public disclosure could be perceived as disloyal or disruptive while he remains coach of Nigeria’s flagship national team.
Sporting directors and media commentators have highlighted Chelle’s demand for structural changes, not just personal pay, as part of his 19-point proposal. The saga reflects deeper tensions between the coach and the federation over strategy, compensation, team autonomy, and accountability.
For Nigerian fans and pundits, this episode has reignited debate about how football contracts and ambitions should be balanced with national team duties especially ahead of World Cup qualifiers and continental tournaments. Chelle remains the head coach of the Super Eagles, expected to lead upcoming matches including friendlies and qualifiers The application to Marseille has not yielded a job, but reports say he may be offered roles at other clubs such as FC Nantes, though nothing is confirmed.
The NFF has not officially terminated Chelle’s contract, and no formal breach has been announced.