The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is reportedly preparing to offer Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle a monthly salary of $100,000, amid ongoing contract negotiations with the Franco-Malian tactician.
Currently earning $50,000 per month, Chelle recently submitted a proposal for a new contract worth $130,000 monthly. He explained that the significant increase is necessary to cover the salaries of his technical staff and to improve his overall working conditions.
According to a highly placed source within the federation, the football body is open to reviewing the coach’s existing contract and accepting some of his proposed conditions, but the NFF has set a firm ceiling at the $100,000 mark.
“We are open to reviewing Eric Chelle’s current contract and willing to meet some of the terms he has proposed,” the source revealed.
“The Federal Government and 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 further stated that if negotiations collapse due to salary disagreements, the NFF will strictly look outward for a replacement, completely ruling out the possibility of hiring an indigenous coach to take over the national team.
In addition to the pay bump, Chelle’s demands reportedly include improved accommodation, official transport, better technical facilities, and greater autonomy over team preparation.
Speaking on the Histoires de Foot podcast, the coach clarified his financial requests. He denied threatening to leave the Super Eagles and reaffirmed his commitment to the team, noting that he still has a year left on his current deal.
“When you talk about $130,000, first of all it’s not euros, it’s dollars. And 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 jo,” Chelle explained.
Despite the ongoing contract talks, Chelle continues his duties and is expected to announce the Super Eagles squad list for Nigeria’s upcoming international friendlies during the next FIFA window.
