Super Eagles Coach Salary Request Sparks Tension With NFF
NFF Questions Chelle’s Pay Request
THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle over his request for a monthly salary of €130,000 as contract extension talks continue.
Chelle, who took charge in January 2025, is said to have submitted 19 demands during negotiations, with a significant salary increase at the top of the list. The request has raised eyebrows within the federation, which questioned both its timing and scale.
Performance Shortfalls Under Scrutiny
While Chelle led the national team to a Unity Cup victory and a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, he did not achieve two crucial objectives set in his initial contract.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing a playoff on penalties to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, marking the country’s second consecutive absence from football’s biggest stage. Additionally, the team was eliminated in the AFCON 2025 semi-finals, again via penalties to Morocco.
An anonymous NFF official told The Guardian: “If Chelle wants to leave, he should say it boldly instead of demanding €130,000. Two key targets were set last year — World Cup qualification and AFCON final — and he did not achieve either.”
Future Uncertain
Negotiations are ongoing, with the NFF signaling a willingness to retain Chelle, yet no agreement has been reached. Meanwhile, the coach has reportedly attracted interest from French club FC Nantes as they battle near the bottom of Ligue 1, leaving his Super Eagles future uncertain.
The coming weeks are expected to clarify whether Chelle remains at the helm or opts for a return to club football.
