Head coach of Nigeria’s national football team, Eric Chelle, has openly declared his ambition to one day manage Spanish football giants Real Madrid, expressing his desire to become the club’s first-ever African head coach.
The 48-year-old Franco-Malian tactician, who was born in Côte d’Ivoire and currently leads the Super Eagles, made the revelation during an interview with French sports broadcaster RMC Sport. According to Chelle, taking charge of Real Madrid represents the ultimate goal of his coaching career.
“My biggest dream is to become Real Madrid’s first African coach,” he said, highlighting his long-term aspirations to compete at the highest level of European club football.
Chelle, a former professional defender with extensive playing and coaching experience across France and Africa, has been in charge of Nigeria’s senior men’s team since January 2025. Under his leadership, the Super Eagles secured a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Morocco.
Real Madrid, widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential football clubs in history, has never appointed an African manager at senior level. Chelle described the prospect of breaking that barrier as both a personal and professional milestone.
He acknowledged that achieving the ambition would require sustained success, top-level experience and consistent results, noting the intense competition associated with elite coaching roles in European football.
While emphasising that his immediate focus remains on his responsibilities with the Super Eagles, Chelle’s comments reflect the growing presence and recognition of African coaches on the global football stage, as well as the expanding possibilities for African talent in world football management.
Blessing Anolaba
Editorial & Creative Correspondent
A storyteller and journalist passionate about telling stories for policy change and impact.
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