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Super Eagles coach demands complete control of the national team

...Wants new fat salary, to determine international friendly opponents

By Maxwell Kumoye 
 

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has laid his cards on the table.

In a bold move that could shape the future of Nigeria’s senior national team, Eric Chelle has submitted a detailed 19-point proposal to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), outlining conditions for a contract extension.

The document, first reported by journalist Shina Oludare, was formally presented on January 22, 2026. It covers everything from remuneration and welfare to technical independence and operational structure, signaling Chelle’s desire for a more professional and stable working environment. 

At the heart of the proposal is a consolidated monthly package of $130,000. 

The sum would cover Chelle’s salary, his technical crew, and a personal assistant. 

Crucially, he is demanding guarantees that wages and bonuses be paid on or before the 30th of every month, a move aimed at eliminating the long-standing issue of delayed payments that has dogged Nigerian football.

He also wants his personal assistant formally integrated into the team’s bonus and allowance structure, while all coaching staff are to be placed on proper working contracts.

Welfare and Logistics Demands
Chelle’s requests extend beyond the touchline. 

The Franco-Malian tactician is asking for:
✓ A private SUV with chauffeur and security
✓ Housing in a secure neighborhood with uninterrupted power supply
✓ A fully furnished office equipped with tactical analysis tools, including a projector and internet access
✓ Business-class travel for himself and his wife, with economy tickets for their two children

Perhaps most significant are Chelle’s demands for greater technical control. 

He is seeking:
✓ Full autonomy in team selection and call-ups
✓ Authority to determine international friendly opponents
✓ Structured camping programmes
✓ Permission to travel domestically and abroad to monitor players
✓ Provision of GPS trackers and modern training equipment
✓ Monthly strategy meetings involving all national team coaches

For Chelle, these are not luxuries but necessities, tools he believes are essential to building a competitive Super Eagles side capable of dominating Africa and making a global statement.

The proposal now places the ball firmly in the NFF’s court. Accepting the terms could signal a new era of professionalism and stability for the Super Eagles. Rejecting them might open the door to uncertainty.

As negotiations unfold, one thing is certain, Eric Chelle is not just negotiating a contract, he’s pushing for a structural shift in how Nigeria’s most celebrated football team is run.

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