Nigeria head coach Eric Sékou Chelle has emerged as a potential managerial option for Olympique de Marseille following the departure of Roberto De Zerbi.
According to sources, Chelle’s name was put forward to the Ligue 1 side by influential intermediaries who believe his recent achievements and tactical profile make him a credible candidate for the role.
Although the 48-year-old is not considered Marseille’s primary target at this stage, he is understood to be among a shortlist of coaches currently being evaluated as the club explores its options for a new head coach.
Chelle’s stock has risen significantly after guiding Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a campaign that enhanced his reputation across the continent. His structured defensive organisation and ability to maximise squad depth have earned praise from analysts and football stakeholders alike.
Adding further intrigue to the speculation, Chelle was spotted at the Stade Vélodrome about a week ago. He attended a Coupe de France fixture alongside Super Eagles midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi, who has since sealed a move to Marseille.
His appearance at the iconic stadium has fueled conversations about a potential link with the French giants, even as he remains under contract with the Nigeria Football Federation.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
