Eric Chelle

Nationality	Mali

Born on	November 11th 1977 in Abidjan
Height	175 cm (5 ft 8 in)
Trophies Won	None

Eric Chelle has taken the reins as the new head coach of the Super Eagles, bringing a wealth of experience from his playing and managerial career. Born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, to a French father and Malian mother, Chelle was raised in France, where he began his football journey.

His playing career started in 1998 at Martigues before he went on to feature for clubs like Valenciennes, Istres, Lens, and Chamois Niortais, retiring in 2014. His most notable spell was at Valenciennes, where he made 142 appearances over five seasons, helping the club achieve stability in the French league system.

Chelle earned five senior caps for Mali and soon transitioned into coaching. He began at GS Consolat in 2014 before returning to Martigues in 2017, where he spent four years developing his tactical philosophy. In May 2021, he took charge of US Boulogne but was dismissed in December after a difficult spell.

In 2022, Chelle was appointed Mali’s head coach and led the team to an impressive 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign. Under his guidance, the Eagles of Mali played attacking football with a diamond formation and were considered one of the best teams in the tournament before their exit.

Following a brief stint with Algerian club MC Oran in late 2024, Chelle was unveiled as the new Super Eagles boss in January 2025. Known for his tactical intelligence and attacking mindset, he now faces the challenge of leading Nigeria back to glory.