- Eric Chelle defends salary increase request
- $130,000 covers coaches and assistants
- Demand sparks debate among Nigerian fans
- Coach says figure is part of negotiations
Eric Chelle, head coach of the Super Eagles, has defended his request for a $130,000 monthly salary, clarifying that the amount is meant to cover not just his pay but the wages of his entire technical crew.
Eric Chelle has addressed the growing controversy surrounding his proposed salary increase, following criticism from fans who described the figure as excessive.
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Speaking on the Histores de Foot podcast, the Super Eagles coach explained that his current earnings stand at $50,000 per month, and the proposed increase to $130,000 is designed to accommodate the cost of running a professional technical team.
According to Chelle, it is common practice in African football for national team coaches to personally handle the payment of their assistants.
He revealed that his support team consists of an assistant coach, a physical trainer, a goalkeeper coach, and a personal assistant, all of whom play key roles in managing the demands of leading a national team representing over 250 million people.
“In the $130,000 offered, potentially, if those numbers are confirmed, you have to pay your staff with all that behind. We are five,” Chelle said.
The coach compared the scale of responsibility to managing a country far larger than France, stressing that the pressure attached to the role requires a solid support system.
Chelle noted that just as modern players rely on personal trainers and specialists, coaches also need professional structures around them to cope with the workload and expectations.
“Sometimes I can’t manage the pressure alone. So, I put a structure in place around me that will allow me to manage this pressure. All these people, well, you have to pay them,” he added.
He also made it clear that the figure being discussed is not a final demand, but part of an ongoing negotiation process with football authorities.
