Chelle Opens Up On His Demand To NFF

Chelle Opens Up On His Demand To NFF

Sampson Adedeji

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has broken his silence on the details surrounding his contract negotiations with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), insisting that his requests are standard and aimed at ensuring proper working conditions, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Speaking on PodcastHDF, Chelle revealed that discussions about his contract began immediately after Nigeria’s match against Egypt national football team.

According to him, officials from Nigeria’s Ministry of Sports and the Director of Customs approached him after the game and informed him that talks regarding his contract would continue in Nigeria.

Chelle clarified reports about his salary, stating that the figure discussed was $130,000 not euros as previously speculated.

“When you talk to me about 130,000, it’s not euros, it’s dollars. 130,000 dollars,” he said.

The former Mali international explained that part of the challenge in African national team jobs is that head coaches are often responsible for paying their own technical staff from their salary.

“In the national team where I was, I have to pay my staff my assistant, first assistant, physical trainer, goalkeeper coach, and my personal assistant. We are five,” he explained.

He noted that managing a national team like Nigeria comes with enormous pressure due to the country’s population of over 250 million people, stressing that he needs a structured support system around him.

“There is pressure when you are coach of a nation of 250 million inhabitants. Sometimes I can’t manage the pressure alone. So I put a structure in place around me to help manage that pressure. All these people have to be paid,” he added.

Chelle further described his requests as basic negotiation demands, including asking for flight tickets for his family if he is to reside in Nigeria.

“When I ask for plane tickets for my family, all selectors ask for plane tickets. If I want to live in Nigeria, my family needs to come. It’s part of negotiations,” he said.

The Super Eagles boss maintained that there is nothing unusual about his demands, stressing that they are necessary for him to work effectively.

“These are neither more nor less than demands to be in good conditions to do my job. That’s what negotiation is about,” Chelle stated.

He also confirmed that a formal letter had been sent to the federation by his representative, who has been mandated to handle negotiations since the end of the Africa Cup.

Despite the ongoing discussions, Chelle reaffirmed his commitment to his role.

“Today, once again, as I told you, I am the Nigerian selector. 

"Maybe there is a campaign of denigration, maybe they don’t dare tell me they don’t want me anymore, I don’t know,” he concluded.