AfriPulse
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are reportedly unhappy with a €130,000 monthly salary demand from Eric Chelle as discussions over his future with the Nigeria national football team continue.
Chelle, appointed in January 2025, has submitted a list of 19 requests during negotiations over a contract extension.
The most prominent of those is a significant pay rise, a move that has raised concerns within the federation.
Targets under scrutiny
Despite winning the Unity Cup and guiding Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Chelle fell short of two key objectives outlined in his initial agreement.
Nigeria head-coach Eric Chelle demands salary increase from NFF – Getty image
The first was qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria’s campaign ended in November after a playoff defeat to DR Congo on penalties, confirming the country will miss a second consecutive World Cup following their absence from Qatar 2022.
The second was to reach the final of the 2025 AFCON. Nigeria were runners-up at the previous edition, but under Chelle they were eliminated in the semi-finals by the Morocco national football team, again via a penalty shootout.
An NFF official, speaking anonymously, questioned the timing and scale of the salary request.
“If Chelle wants to leave, he should come out boldly and tell the NFF instead of this outrageous demand of $130,000,” the official told The Guardian.
“Now, let me reveal the main two targets given to Chelle by the NFF when he signed the contract last year.
“First, he was told to qualify Nigeria for the 2026 World Cup and second, qualify the team for the final of 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco. Did he fulfil these two? The answer is no.”
Uncertain future
While both the NFF and the National Sports Commission have previously indicated interest in retaining Chelle, talks remain unresolved.
The coach has also been linked with a possible move to FC Nantes, who are struggling near the Ligue 1 relegation zone.
Source: Gistreel | Read the Full Story…
