Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has opened up on the contractual demands he submitted to the Nigeria Football Federation, insisting they are standard requirements aimed at creating the right conditions to succeed.
Speaking on the Histoires De Foot Podcast, Chelle revealed that discussions intensified immediately after Nigeria’s match against Egypt, when officials from the Ministry of Sports and other dignitaries approached him about returning to Nigeria to finalise contract terms.
The former defender clarified that the reported figure of 130,000 relates to dollars, not euros. He explained that the amount would not be solely for his personal earnings, as he is responsible for paying his technical crew.
“In Africa, with the national team where I was, I have to pay my staff,” Chelle said, noting that his backroom team consists of five members, including an assistant coach, physical trainer, goalkeeping coach and a personal aide.
He added that managing a national side the size of Nigeria comes with immense pressure. With a population of about 250 million, Chelle stressed the need to build a support structure to cope with expectations and deliver results.
The 46-year-old also addressed reports surrounding additional requests, including flight tickets for his family. According to him, such provisions are common in international coaching negotiations, especially as he intends to reside in Nigeria during his tenure.
“These are basic demands to work in good conditions,” Chelle stated, confirming that formal documents were submitted to the Federation as part of ongoing negotiations.
Despite speculation, Chelle maintained that he remains Nigeria’s head coach and suggested there may be attempts to undermine his position. He said discussions are progressing and expressed hope that an agreement would soon be reached.
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