Roberto De Zerbi parted ways with the Phocaeans by mutual consent following a crushing 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in Le Classique. Chelle, the current Nigeria national team coach, had reportedly applied to replace the Italian, but the club opted to entrust Beye with the role, signing him on a one-and-a-half-year deal.
Beye, who represented Marseille between 2003 and 2007, had recently become available after being dismissed by Ligue 1 rivals Rennes just days before De Zerbi’s exit.
Despite leading the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, sources at Marseille described Chelle’s application as ultimately futile, noting that he did not match the club’s required profile.
In a strategic move to enhance his prospects in France, the Franco-Malian ended his long-standing relationship with agent Sidibe Abraham Brehima and joined Wilders Sport.
Sidibe had previously facilitated his appointments with the Nigeria and Mali national teams, following his sacking by US Boulogne in December 2021, just seven months into his tenure after the club earned only three points from ten games.
The untold story of Chelle’s subtle push to leave Nigeria
Shortly after guiding the three-time African champions to a bronze medal finish at AFCON, 48-year-old Chelle revealed his long-term ambition to become the first African coach to manage Spanish giants Real Madrid.
"My dream is to become the first African coach to manage Real Madrid," he told RMC Sport.
A few days later, the tactician emerged as a candidate to manage Olympique Marseille following his application. From Flashscore's findings, Chelle’s decision to pursue the Marseille role was influenced by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) rejecting his 19-point contract extension proposal submitted on January 22, 2026.
At the heart of the proposal was a request to increase his monthly salary from $50,000 to $130,000, a sum meant to cover his entire technical staff and personal assistant, contrary to the widely reported $100,000 figure circulating in the media.
Reliable sources indicate that Chelle’s application to Stade Velodrome was a calculated move to exert pressure on the Nigeria Football Federation to meet his demands.
Chelle’s proposed terms to the Nigeria Football Federation
Per investigation from Flashscore’s Shina Oludare, below are the Chelle’s 19-point conditions for a contract extension, formally submitted to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on January 22, 2026.
- Private car (SUV) with a chauffeur and security
- House in a well secured environment with 24hrs uninterrupted power supply (electricity).
- Furnished office with projector for analysis.
- Internet provision.
-. Flight tickets for wife and two children (Eric and wife Business class) children economy.
-. GPS provision.
- Supply of proper equipment in accordance to the coach’s demand.
- Based on opponents, the coach has the right of choice regarding int’l friendly matches.
- Camping programs.
- The coach will initiate programs for youth development.
- Provision for the coach to travel, watch, monitor and engage players of the national teams abroad.
- Provision for the coach to travel to watch the local league to identify potential players that will be integrated in to senior national tea, A U23, U20 and U17.
- No Interference in team selection and players call up.
- The NFF has to issue a working contract for my staff.
- Salary needs to be paid on or before 30th of every month.
- Bonus and allowance as per federation structure.
- Request to include my PA in the bonus and allowance structure.
- Proposed salary of $130,000.00 (One hundred and thirty thousand dollars) monthly. The amount included all my technical staff and PA.
- Monthly meeting with all the national team coaches.
What lies ahead for Eric Chelle?
After his unsuccessful move to Marseille, coach Chelle now finds himself at a defining crossroads. His immediate future with the Super Eagles remains uncertain following the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) rejection of his 19-point contract proposal.
The proposal appears to have been a calculated attempt to strengthen his negotiating position, potentially signaling underlying tensions with Nigerian football authorities. Also, efforts to obtain clarification from multiple NFF officials regarding Chelle’s status were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
The tactician’s recent decision to change representation to Wilders Sport suggests he may be preparing to explore club opportunities abroad should negotiations with the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winners collapse.
With his biggest desire to manage Los Blancos, Chelle’s aspiration could see him pursue top-flight roles while seeking to build on his achievements with Nigeria.
