HEAD coach of the Nigeria national football team, Eric Chelle, has clarified that his request for an increase in salary is aimed at improving his working conditions and not an attempt to threaten or pressure the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the Franco-Malian tactician spoke amid controversy sparked by a leaked document detailing 19 proposed contract terms he submitted to the NFF, including an increase in his monthly salary from $50,000 to $130,000, a figure he says would also cover payments to his technical staff.
Speaking on the Histoires de Foot Podcast, Chelle firmly denied reports suggesting he had issued an ultimatum or was preparing to leave the Super Eagles.
“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,” Chelle said.
“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.”
His comments come after he was linked with French giants Olympique de Marseille following Nigeria’s third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. He was also reportedly of interest to Tunisia, Angola and his former employers, Mali.
However, Chelle did not secure the Marseille job, and the NFF has stated that his submitted demands remain under review and subject to board approval.
Addressing public criticism over the reported $130,000 monthly demand, Chelle explained that the figure was being misinterpreted.
“When you talk about $130,000, 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,” he said.
“All those people have to be paid and those requests are simply to ensure I have the right conditions to do my job.”
According to the leaked proposal, Chelle’s requests go beyond salary. They reportedly include:
A private SUV with chauffeur and security detail
Accommodation in a secure area with uninterrupted power supply
A furnished office with tactical analysis equipment
Structured access to domestic league matches for player scouting
Greater influence in selecting friendly matches
Autonomy in team selection
Flight tickets for his wife and two children
Inclusion of his personal assistant in the bonus and allowance structure
He is also said to have requested improved equipment provisions aligned with his technical requirements and enhanced scouting access for youth national teams, including U-23, U-20 and U-17 sides.
Chelle expressed surprise over how the confidential document found its way into the media.
“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.
He acknowledged that his agency made contact with Marseille but stressed that he personally had no direct discussions with the club.
“I signed with an agency in order to evolve and grow as a coach. My agents decided to approach certain clubs in Europe. At that time, OM was looking for a coach. My agency contacted the club to propose me. We didn’t do anything more than that,” he explained.
Chelle admitted he is a supporter of Marseille but denied ever requesting the move or using it as leverage in negotiations.
“With social networks, it just blew up,” he added.
Despite the contract debate, Chelle remains focused on preparations for the upcoming international window. Nigeria are scheduled to compete in a four-nation tournament in Amman, where they will face Iran, Jordan and Costa Rica.
He is expected to name his squad for the matches in the coming days.