The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is reportedly dissatisfied with a request from Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle for a €130,000 monthly salary, as negotiations over a contract extension continue.
Chelle, who was appointed in January 2025, is said to have presented a list of 19 demands during discussions about his future with the national team. Chief among them is a substantial salary increase, a proposal that has generated unease within the federation.
Although Chelle guided Nigeria to victory at the Unity Cup and secured a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, he fell short of two primary objectives outlined in his initial agreement. Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing a playoff on penalties to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, marking a second consecutive absence from the global tournament. The team also missed the target of reaching the AFCON final, bowing out in the semi-finals against Morocco, again via penalties.
An NFF official, speaking anonymously, criticised both the scale and timing of Chelle’s salary request. “If Chelle wants to leave, he should come out boldly and tell the NFF instead of making this outrageous demand of €130,000. Two key targets were set when he signed last year, qualify for the 2026 World Cup and reach the AFCON final. He did not achieve either,” the official said.
While both the NFF and the National Sports Commission have previously signalled a willingness to retain Chelle, negotiations remain unresolved. The coach has also been linked with a possible return to club management, with French side FC Nantes reportedly monitoring his situation as they battle relegation in Ligue 1.
As discussions drag on, Chelle’s future at the helm of the Super Eagles appears increasingly uncertain, with the federation weighing performance against demands that many insiders consider excessive.
By Adeolu Johnson, Abuja
