Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle publicly declared his long-term ambition to manage Spanish giants Real Madrid. The Malian tactician stated that he aimed to become the first African coach in the club’s history. He made the comments during an interview with RMC Sport on February 9, 2026.
Eric Chelle expressed his vision clearly. “My biggest dream is to become Real Madrid’s first-ever African coach,” he said. He described the goal as a major challenge that motivated him daily. Additionally, he believed African coaches deserved opportunities at the highest level of world football.
The revelation quickly spread on social media and news outlets. Several reports highlighted Chelle’s words from the RMC Sport interview. Fans and analysts discussed the feasibility of an African coach leading Real Madrid. However, no African manager had ever held the position at the club.
Despite the ambitious statement, Eric Chelle remained committed to Nigeria. He rejected approaches from other national teams, including Tunisia and Angola. He prioritized stability with the Super Eagles while building toward future competitions.
Chelle’s declaration underscored the growing influence of African coaches. More African tacticians gained recognition in international football. His goal symbolized a push for greater representation at elite European clubs. Real Madrid continued under its current management structure at the time.
