Chelle eyes coaching stint with Real Madrid

Nigeria coach Eric Chelle has revealed his desire to become the first African coach to handle Spanish giants Real Madrid.

The Malian coach, while speaking in a televised interview with RMC Sport’s After Afrique podcast posted on X on Monday, openly claimed his ultimate goal is to take charge at Madrid.

Super Eagles coach, Éric Chelle has publicly stated his ambition to become the first African coach of Real Madrid🤍❤️

“I want to be the first African coach of Real Madrid”, told RMC Sport✨🦅 pic.twitter.com/5sntIbP5RX

— Super Eagles Supporters Club (@official_esclub) February 9, 2026

“My dream is to become the first African coach to manage Real Madrid,” said Chelle.

Chelle guided Nigeria to AFCON bronze medal

Chelle currently serves as head coach of the Nigeria national football team and mainly played as a centre-back. Born in Ivory Coast to a

French father and a Malian mother, he made five appearances for the Mali national team.

He spent his whole career in France, appearing for Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais. At international level, he represented Mali.

In May 2021, he was appointed head coach of US Boulogne, but was later dismissed in December 2021, after the club gained three points in preceding ten games.

He took charge of Mali in 2022, and under his guidance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Mali topped their group ahead of eventual semifinalists South Africa and reached the quarterfinals against hosts Ivory Coast, where they were eliminated in the very last minute of extra time.

Chelle was in charge of Nigeria during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, where he guided the Super Eagles to a bronze medal after defeating Egypt in the third-place play off.

Eric Chelle Eyes Historic Move to Real Madrid, Dreams of Becoming First African Coach

Nigeria national team head coach Eric Chelle has openly declared his ambition to become the first African coach to manage Spanish giants Real Madrid, a statement that has sparked wide discussion across African and European football circles.

The Malian tactician made the revelation during a televised interview on RMC Sport’s After Afrique podcast, which was shared on social media platform X earlier this week. Speaking candidly, Chelle admitted that taking charge of Real Madrid represents the ultimate dream of his coaching career.

“My dream is to become the first African coach to manage Real Madrid,” Chelle stated during the interview.

The bold declaration reflects not only Chelle’s personal ambition but also the growing confidence among African coaches to aspire to elite roles at the highest level of world football.

Current Role as Nigeria Head Coach

Eric Chelle currently serves as head coach of the Nigeria national football team, popularly known as the Super Eagles. Since taking charge, the Franco-Malian coach has overseen a period of renewed tactical discipline and competitiveness within the squad.

His most notable achievement with Nigeria came at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, where he guided the Super Eagles to a bronze medal. Nigeria secured third place after defeating Egypt in the playoff, a result that restored confidence among fans following previous tournament disappointments.

That AFCON campaign further strengthened Chelle’s reputation as a coach capable of handling pressure at international tournaments and managing star-studded squads—qualities often demanded at clubs like Real Madrid.

Playing Career and Background

Born in Ivory Coast to a French father and Malian mother, Eric Chelle enjoyed a professional playing career primarily in France. Operating mainly as a centre-back, he featured for several French clubs including Martigues, Valenciennes, RC Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais.