The future of Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has come under fresh scrutiny after a new insider report revealed the former Lens defender sought a major pay rise, Soccernet.ng reports.
Despite being under contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chelle reportedly submitted a 19-point proposal on January 22, 2026, requesting a sharp increase in his monthly earnings.
According to sports journalist Shina Oludare, the core of the proposal was a jump from $50,000 to $130,000 per month, which is meant to cover Chelle’s salary and that of his full technical crew and personal assistant
This, however, contradicts earlier claims that he asked for $100,000.
Oludare further revealed that the NFF rejected the proposal, which triggered the events that later linked him with a possible move to Olympique de Marseille.
INSIDER REPORT: Despite being under contract as Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle applied for the managerial role at Olympique Marseille after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) rejected his 19-point proposal submitted on January 22, 2026.
At the heart of the proposal was a… pic.twitter.com/PaiAbbWArK
— Shina Oludare (@sportingshina) February 18, 2026
Eric Chelle's salary row with the NFF
Sources say the Nigeria Football Federation deemed Chelle's demands excessive, especially given existing financial constraints and ongoing debates about coach remuneration in Nigerian football.
The request, which outlined staffing costs and personal support expenses, failed to convince decision-makers, which left Chelle dissatisfied and reportedly open to alternative opportunities abroad.
Marseille move and agent switch
In a bid to strengthen his chances of landing the Marseille job, Chelle is said to have parted ways with his long-time agent, Sidibe Abraham Brehima—who previously helped him secure roles with Mali and Nigeria after his dismissal at Boulogne—and instead signed with Wilders Sport, per Shina Oludare.
Despite his availability, Marseille ultimately judged his profile unsuitable for the project and moved in for their former star Habib Beye.
Beye chosen, Chelle stays put
The Ligue 1 club instead appointed a former Senegal international on Wednesday evening, which effectively puts an end to Chelle’s hopes of joining the club.
Meanwhile, Soccernet.ng understands that the former Mali international is eyeing another Ligue 1 club.
View: Can the NFF realistically afford Chelle’s demand?
Given the NFF’s history of delayed payments to players and staff, meeting a $130,000 monthly package would place significant strain on its finances.
With the federation largely dependent on government subventions and irregular sponsorship income, such a commitment would likely require fresh funding guarantees or a restructuring of existing contracts, which apparently makes Chelle’s request difficult to sustain under current conditions at the Nigeria Football Federation.
