Olympique de Marseille have confirmed the appointment of Habib Beye as their new head coach, effectively ending speculation that Nigeria national team manager Eric Chelle could take charge of the Ligue 1 club.
Chelle had emerged as a potential candidate following the dismissal of Roberto De Zerbi two weeks ago, with his growing reputation in African football and previous ties to the French game fueling reports of a possible move to the Stade Vélodrome.
The rumors gathered pace after Chelle signed with a new football agency on February 19, a development widely interpreted as a strategic step toward a potential career transition. Marseille’s decision to appoint Beye has now closed the door on that possibility, at least for the immediate future.
Chelle’s situation has drawn heightened attention since the conclusion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in January. While Nigeria’s campaign ended without a major breakthrough, his standing within continental football has continued to rise, prompting links to several high profile roles.
Beyond Marseille, Chelle has been associated with national team vacancies in Angola, Tunisia and Algeria. The interest underscores his growing appeal at a time when several African federations are reshaping their technical leadership ahead of major competitions.
The timing of the speculation has created unease within Nigerian football circles. A FIFA international window is scheduled for next month, and the Super Eagles are preparing for critical fixtures that could shape their competitive outlook for the year.
Compounding the uncertainty is a pending FIFA review concerning the DR Congo case, a process that could determine Nigeria’s pathway to the World Cup playoffs. The outcome is expected to carry significant implications for squad planning and administrative strategy.
Chelle has one year remaining on his current contract with the Nigeria Football Federation. While federation officials have publicly indicated their desire to retain him, negotiations over a contract extension have yet to be finalized.
The absence of a formal renewal has left room for continued speculation, particularly as rival African federations explore coaching appointments ahead of the next international cycle.
The turning point came with Marseille’s formal announcement of Beye’s appointment. The decision immediately extinguished talk of Chelle’s return to French club management and redirected attention back to his position with Nigeria.
His recent agency switch, once viewed as a precursor to an imminent move, now appears to have been part of broader career positioning rather than a confirmed departure.
Since the Africa Cup of Nations concluded, momentum around Chelle’s future has shifted repeatedly. Interest from multiple federations, combined with Nigeria’s unresolved contract discussions, has kept his status under constant scrutiny.
Each development has intensified debate over whether the Super Eagles can secure long term stability in their technical leadership, particularly as other nations reportedly offer competitive incentives and clearer tournament pathways.
Marseille’s swift appointment of Beye has provided short term clarity but has not entirely settled questions about Chelle’s long term future. With some African nations able to guarantee World Cup participation this year, the pressure on Nigeria to secure his commitment is likely to grow.
For now, Chelle remains in charge of the Super Eagles, but the coming weeks may prove decisive. The Nigeria Football Federation faces mounting urgency to formalize an extension if it intends to fend off external interest.
As the international calendar intensifies and FIFA’s pending decision looms, stability at the top of Nigeria’s technical structure could prove crucial to the team’s competitive ambitions.
