Super Eagles Head Coach Eric Chelle has revealed his long-term ambition to become the first African manager in the history of Spanish football giants Real Madrid, describing the aspiration as both personal and symbolic for African coaches striving to break barriers at the highest level of the global game.
The Franco-Malian tactician made the disclosure during an interview with Paris-based French broadcaster RMC Sport, where he spoke candidly about his career journey, Nigeria’s recent campaigns, and a much-discussed moment involving Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
“My biggest dream is to become Real Madrid’s first-ever African coach,” Chelle said, a statement that has since generated significant attention within football circles across Africa and Europe. While the ambition remains a future goal rather than an immediate plan, it reflects Chelle’s belief that African coaches can compete for elite managerial roles traditionally dominated by Europeans.
Chelle, 48, was appointed Super Eagles head coach in January 2025, taking over at a challenging time for Nigerian football. The team had struggled in the early stages of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, and expectations were tempered following inconsistent performances. Despite his efforts, Nigeria failed to secure a place at the World Cup, a setback that initially raised questions about the team’s direction.
However, the qualifying campaign was not without positives. Nigeria advanced to the African playoffs as one of the strongest second-placed teams, demonstrating resilience and tactical improvement under Chelle’s leadership. Their journey ended in Morocco after a tense penalty shootout defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The loss was followed by controversy, with Nigeria submitting a formal petition to FIFA over the eligibility of five dual-nationality players fielded by DR Congo. The matter, according to officials, is still under consideration.
Chelle’s reputation received a significant boost later in the year during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Under his guidance, the Super Eagles reached the semi-finals without losing any match in regulation time, showcasing defensive organization, tactical discipline, and improved cohesion. Nigeria eventually claimed the bronze medal after defeating Egypt in the third-place playoff, a result widely seen as a positive step forward for the national team.
Beyond the results, the tournament highlighted Nigeria’s attacking quality, particularly the partnership between Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman. Both players were instrumental in Nigeria’s progress, but their fiery competitiveness also drew attention following a heated exchange during the Round of 16 clash against Mozambique.
Addressing the incident, Chelle dismissed suggestions of serious discord, describing it as a routine disagreement between two highly driven players. According to him, the exchange stemmed from a tactical disagreement in front of goal rather than personal issues.
“On the pitch, there was a discussion with Lookman. Victor told him, ‘We need to stop playing in front of goal.’ Things got a little heated, a minor altercation, but that’s part of locker-room life,” Chelle explained.
He revealed that Osimhen was visibly upset after the match and needed time to regain his composure. “At the end of the match, he went home angry. He needed time to calm down. Once he did, he became the Victor we all know again,” Chelle said.
The coach was emphatic that the incident had no impact on team selection or unity. “There was never any question of him not playing in the quarterfinal against Algeria,” he added. “What happens in the locker room stays in the locker room. I didn’t even need to intervene. We went back to the hotel, they spoke it out, and that was the end of it.”
Chelle went on to praise both players, describing their intensity as a reflection of elite mentality rather than indiscipline. “In front of goal, those two guys are top-level. This kind of tension almost makes sense when you are dealing with two strikers obsessed with scoring,” he said.
He offered deeper insight into Osimhen’s mindset, portraying him as relentlessly driven by excellence. “Victor is a machine. If he doesn’t score in training or complete his striker drills, it drives him crazy. He wants to win everything. For him, football is serious business,” Chelle noted. Lookman, he added, shares the same hunger but approaches the game with a calmer temperament.
“Lookman has the same desire, but he is more composed. Honestly, I have seen many strikers, but the way these two strike the ball, with both right and left foot, that is very high-level football,” Chelle concluded.
Since the AFCON tournament, Chelle has attracted interest from several national teams and clubs, further elevating his coaching profile. His career began with French amateur side Groupe Sportif Consolat in 2014, before he went on to manage Mali between 2022 and 2024. His time with Nigeria has since positioned him as one of the most talked-about African coaches on the international stage.
While his dream of managing Real Madrid may still be some distance away, Chelle’s comments underline a broader conversation about representation and opportunity for African coaches in elite European football. For many observers, his progress with the Super Eagles has already reinforced the argument that African tacticians deserve greater visibility and trust at the highest levels of the sport.
As Nigeria looks ahead to future continental competitions, Chelle’s leadership, transparency, and belief in African excellence are likely to remain central to the team’s identity and long-term ambitions.
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