SUPER Eagles head coach Eric Sékou Chelle has reportedly emerged as a potential candidate to take over at French Ligue 1 giants Olympique de Marseille following the departure of Roberto De Zerbi.
News Point Nigeria Sport reports that multiple reports in France indicate that Marseille are considering Chelle as part of their shortlist after parting ways with De Zerbi by mutual consent on Wednesday.
The Italian tactician left the club after a string of disappointing results, culminating in a heavy 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. The loss saw Marseille slip to fourth place in the Ligue 1 standings, while their UEFA Champions League campaign had already ended in disappointment earlier in the season.
With the club eager to stabilise its campaign and revive its push for silverware, attention has reportedly turned to Chelle, whose reputation has soared following Nigeria’s impressive outing at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
France-based Nigerian journalist Babatunde Ojora disclosed that Chelle’s name had been recommended to Marseille by intermediaries in recent days.
“Nigeria head coach, Eric Sékou Chelle, has emerged as a potential candidate for Olympique de Marseille after being recommended by intermediaries,” Ojora posted via X.
Interestingly, Chelle has been in France recently and was spotted at the Orange Vélodrome last Tuesday when Marseille secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Rennes to qualify for the quarter-finals of the 2025/26 Coupe de France.
His presence at the stadium has further fueled speculation about a possible move.
Chelle’s coaching stock has risen sharply after guiding Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Super Eagles’ impressive campaign not only restored confidence in the national team but also enhanced Chelle’s standing across the continent and in Europe.
Following the tournament, reports emerged linking the Franco-Malian tactician with several national teams, including Tunisia, Guinea, Angola, and his former employers, Mali.
According to multiple sources, Tunisian football authorities have reportedly approached Chelle and are willing to offer a salary package of around $100,000 per month.
Despite the mounting interest, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau has reiterated that Chelle remains committed to his role with the Super Eagles.
“We still have a one-year contract with Eric, and whatever interest anyone shows in him will have to wait until his contract expires,” Gusau said on Tuesday.
He dismissed speculation of an imminent departure, stressing that Chelle believes in the Nigerian project.
“It’s not just about interest in him because he has gotten results with the Super Eagles. Even if they offer him more money, do they have the necessary materials for him to work with?” Gusau asked.
“We quite understand that he enjoys working with Nigeria, and I know he believes he can achieve his dreams in Africa with us. He has so much belief in the Super Eagles.”
While Marseille’s reported interest underscores Chelle’s growing reputation in European football, any potential move would depend on negotiations between the French club and the NFF, given that the coach still has a year left on his contract.
For now, Chelle remains focused on building on Nigeria’s AFCON success as the Super Eagles prepare for upcoming international competitions.
Whether the Marseille speculation materialises into a formal offer remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Eric Chelle’s rapid rise in the coaching ranks has firmly placed him on the European radar.