Chelle to undertake european club internships while retaining super eagles job

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is set to undergo further technical training with leading European clubs while continuing in his role with Nigeria’s national team, according to reports, Sport360NG reports.

Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick disclosed that plans are underway for the Franco-Malian coach to embark on short-term internships at elite clubs, aimed at further enhancing his tactical and technical expertise.

Pinnick revealed that the proposal was discussed with FIFA’s head of global football development, Arsène Wenger, following Nigeria’s third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“Regarding the coach, I’ve spoken with him and with the NFF. I also discussed the matter with Arsène Wenger,” Pinnick said. “He is exceptionally good, but even the best professionals continue to improve through further training. The idea is for him to do some form of internship with top clubs around the world to add to his football and technical knowledge. Discussions are ongoing, and we are pleased with the direction.”

NFF president Ibrahim Gusau has also publicly backed Chelle, praising the 48-year-old for his impact since taking charge in January 2024.

“As the leader of a very hardworking technical team, Mr Chelle has performed excellently within the one year he has been with us,” Gusau said. “He has shown tremendous capacity, and we will continue to work with him.”

Gusau’s endorsement comes amid growing calls for continuity, following a dramatic turnaround in the Super Eagles’ fortunes under Chelle. In 17 competitive matches, Nigeria are yet to lose in regulation time, recording 11 wins and six draws. At AFCON 2025, the team scored a record 14 goals in a single tournament and remained unbeaten in regulation time across all seven matches in Morocco.

Looking ahead, Gusau stressed that preparations for the next AFCON must begin immediately.

“The journey to the next AFCON starts right away. We do not have the luxury of time to dwell on what we have achieved,” he said. “We are encouraged by the current squad, and it is important to remember that some key players missed the tournament through injury. Overall, the future looks very bright.”

Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi also voiced his support for Chelle, highlighting the need for stability within the team.

“For continuity, I believe the coach should be retained,” Ndidi said. “He is a very good manager, and what this team needs most now is consistency. We should not make changes simply because we did not reach the final. There are many competitions ahead, and we must stay focused.”

Nigeria’s third-place finish further underlined their consistency at the AFCON, with Saturday’s victory over Egypt marking the Super Eagles’ 17th podium finish in 21 tournament appearances. The only editions in which Nigeria failed to secure a medal were 1963, 1982, 2008 and 2021.