File Photo: Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle
Elegbede Abiodun
Says he targets improved working condition and taking care of the salaries of his technical staff.
The alleged proposal by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to increase the salary of Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle, from $50,000 to $100,000 has generated mixed reactions among Nigerians, including ex-internationals and fans.
In the latest update on the ongoing negotiations between the coach and the NFF, the federation is said to be unwilling to exceed a monthly salary of $100,000 for Chelle, despite being open to improving his current deal.
Chelle is currently in the final year of his initial two-year contract, and a highly placed source disclosed that the football body is willing to review his deal for an extension but cannot meet the coach’s reported $130,000 salary demand.
“The Federal Government and the NFF want continuity. If he lowers his demand, we want him to stay, but we are not prepared to offer more than $100,000 per month,” the source said.
Ex-international and 1980 AFCON winner, Sylvanus Okpala, believes the conditions for such an increment have not been met.
“I am not saying he is not a good coach, but he has tried his best. The last AFCON title was there for Nigeria to win, but he couldn’t get us to the final and didn’t secure a World Cup ticket. Although we started poorly, we could have finished well,” Okpala said.
Former Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju, also shared a cautious view.
“It depends on the individual and whether the NFF is capable of doing that. I won’t be able to say if his demands are moderate or outrageous,” he said.
Social commentator, Japhet Omojuwa, also faulted the timing of the proposed increment.
“Timing is everything. No AFCON title, no World Cup ticket—there is no motivation or incentive to pay you $100k. You’ve got no leverage whatsoever,” he wrote.
However, another fan, Ibibionwai, defended the coach.
“He is not the reason we lost both the World Cup qualifiers and AFCON. In reality, we lost the World Cup ticket before he came, with all those draws and defeats. He gave a good fight though. Also, the team plays better now, and if he goes, the development starts from the beginning again,” the fan said.
Chelle had earlier defended his request for an improved contract, explaining that the proposed increase from $50,000 to $130,000 per month is aimed at improving his working conditions and covering the salaries of his technical staff.
“When you talk about $130,000, first of all, it’s not euros, it’s dollars. 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. So all those people have to be paid, and those requests are simply to ensure I have the right conditions to do my job,” he said.
The Franco-Malian coach, who has also been linked with interest from Olympique Marseille and several African national teams, has denied threatening to leave the Nigeria job and insists he remains committed to his role.
Chelle is expected to announce his squad for Nigeria’s upcoming international friendlies during the next FIFA window.
