Newly-appointed Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle has revealed that he is proud and honoured to have the opportunity to manage the team, Sportivationng.com
The Malian coach was unveiled as the new Super Eagles coach on Monday at the Media Center of the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
He signed a two -year deal with the option of another year, if he qualifies the Super Eagles to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.
Chelle will also bring his three assistant coaches to join the coaching crew on ground already -Daniel Ogunmodede, Fidelis Ilechukwu, and Abiodun Baruwa.
He is also expected to be with the Home-based Super Eagles team in a supervisory role, while Daniel Ogunmodede, and Fidelis Ilechukwu will keep their positions in the team that is preparing for the upcoming 8th African Nations Championship.
Chelle has promised to do his best to ensure that the Super Eagles qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while expressing his excitement at the opportunity to coach Nigeria.
He said: He said: “I want to thank my agent, the NFF, the NSC and indeed all Nigerians for this big opportunity. Coaching the Super Eagles of Nigeria is an amazing job; I do not take this appointment for granted. I am elated and will do my utmost best.
“I’m so proud and honoured to be the new Super Eagles head coach. Nigeria has a great history with quality players like Ikpeba, Amokachi, Amuneke, Yekini, Oliseh, Eguavoen, Finidi, West, Obi Mikel and Babangida.
“I was a fan then and with this new generation too, Lookman, Osimhen and others.
“Football is about scoring goals, so I favour an attacking style. I know the expectations of Nigerians and I will settle down and work diligently with assistants towards the goal of qualifying the Super Eagles to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
The Nigeria Football Federation President, Ibrahim Gusau is optimistic that Chelle can lead the Super Eagles to greater heights.
He said: “I see in the new Head Coach the right spirit and the right attitude, and I have faith that he will take the Super Eagles to the next level. He sees the job of leading the Super Eagles as his dream job, and that is a huge motivation in itself.
“Coach Chelle recognizes and appreciates what is ahead of him, and he says he loves the challenge. We will be there giving him the necessary support all the way.”
Chelle’s highest achievement as a national team coach is taking the Malian national team to the quarter-finals of the AFCON in 2023.
Eric Chelle Salary
He will be paid $50,000 per month, while his two assistants will receive $5,000 per month.
LIST OF SUPER EAGLES’ COACHES IN HISTORY
John Finch (England) – 1949
Daniel Anyiam (Nigeria) – 1954-1956; 1964-1965
Les Courtier (England) – 1956-1960
Moshe Beit Halevi (Israel) – 1960-1961
George Vardar (Hungary) – 1961-1963
Joey Blackwell (England) – 1963 – 1964
József Ember (Hungary) – 1965-1968
Sabino Barinaga (Spain) – 1968-1969
Peter ‘Eto’ Amaechina (Nigeria) – 1969-1970
Karl-Heinz Marotzke (Germany) – 1970-1971; 1974
Jorge Penna (Brazil) – 1972-1973
Jelisavčić ‘Father Tiko’ Tihomir (Yugoslavia) – 1974-1978
Otto Glória (Brazil) – 1979-1982
Gottlieb Göller (Germany) – 1981
Adegboye Onigbinde (Nigeria) – 1983-1984; 2002
Chris Udemezue (Nigeria) – 1984-1986
Patrick Ekeji (Nigeria) – 1985
Paul Hamilton (Nigeria) – 1987; 1989
Manfred Höner (Germany) – 1988-1989
Clemens Westerhof (Netherlands) – 1989-1994
Amodu Shaibu (Nigeria) – 1994-1995; 1996-1997; 2001-2002; 2008-2010
Johannes Bonfrere (Netherlands) – 1995-1996; 1999-2001
Philippe Troussier (France) – 1997
Monday Sinclair (Nigeria) – 1997-1998
Bora Milutinović (Yugoslavia) – 1998
Thijs Libregts (Netherlands) – 1999
Christian Chukwu (Nigeria) – 2002-2005
Augustine Eguavoen (Nigeria) – 2005-2007; 2010; 2022
Berti Vogts (Germany) – 2007-2008
Lars Lagerbäck (Sweden) – 2010
Samson Siasia (Nigeria) – 2010-2011; 2016
Stephen Keshi (Nigeria) – 2011-2014; 2015
Sunday Oliseh (Nigeria) – 2015-2016
Gernot Rohr (Germany) – 2016-2021
José Peseiro (Portugal) – 2022-2024
Finidi George (Nigeria) – 2024
Éric Sékou Chelle (France) – 2025