Marseille targets Nigeria's Eric Chelle as new coach

Olympique de Marseille president Pablo Longoria is strongly interested in appointing Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle as the French club’s new manager, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Marseille chief is considering offering Chelle a four-month contract with a performance-based clause for a one-year extension should the Franco-Malian win the Coupe de France and secure third place in Ligue 1.

According to French journalist Fabrice Romain, Chelle has taken a bold step by officially applying for the vacant manager’s job at Marseille, making personal contact with Longoria to present himself as the right man to lead the French giants.

Marseille are searching for a new boss after the exit of Roberto De Zerbi, with recent favourite Habib Beye no longer expected to take the role after talks broke down.

The 48-year-old coach, who recently guided Nigeria to third place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, is under contract with the Nigeria Football Federation until 2027, but his interest in the Marseille job suggests he is open to a quick return to club football.

Sports journalist MikeThePundit revealed Longoria’s strong interest in Chelle on social media platform X, writing, “Marseille president Pablo Longoria is strongly interested in having Eric Chelle as new head coach.

“It’s centred around a four-month contract, to include a performance-based clause for a 1-year extension should Chelle win the Coupe de France and secure 3rd in the league.”

Despite submitting his application, getting the role remains a long shot for Chelle, who has been advised to remain with the Super Eagles.

Chelle’s club coaching experience is limited, having previously worked with smaller French sides such as Martigues and Boulogne. That lack of experience at a top European club could count against him, though Marseille’s leaders are clearly listening to his proposal.

Other candidates linked with the job include Pierre Aristouy, who last coached FC Nantes, and more experienced options such as Sergio Conceição, currently under contract in Saudi Arabia, and former Paris Saint-Germain boss Christophe Galtier.

Marseille could also decide to stick with interim coach Pancho Abardonado as they take more time to choose carefully.

However, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau has dismissed suggestions that Chelle could leave the Super Eagles job, insisting the coach remains committed to Nigeria.

“We still have a one-year contract with Eric, and whatever interest anyone shows in him will have to wait until his contract expires,” Gusau said.

“It’s not just about interest in him because he has got results with the Super Eagles. Even if they offer him more money, do they have the necessary materials for him to work with? We quite understand that he enjoys working with Nigeria, and I know he believes he can achieve his dreams in Africa with us.”

Chelle was appointed in January 2025 on a two-year contract and has managed 18 official matches for Nigeria, winning 12 and drawing six, though two draws ended in penalty shootout defeats.

The coach has expressed his desire to remain in the role while nurturing ambitions of building a strong profile that could one day see him become the first African to coach Real Madrid.

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