According to reports, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has surfaced as a possible contender for the open management post at Olympique de Marseille, a team in French Ligue 1.
Following Roberto De Zerbi’s departure earlier this week by mutual consent, the 48-year-old Malian-French tactician is one of the names being considered.
De Zerbi’s departure followed Marseille’s Champions League elimination after a 3-0 loss to Club Brugge and a crushing 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in Le Classique.
The decision, which was made following internal discussions to address the team’s athletic difficulties this season, was characterized by Marseille as “collective and difficult.”
Eric Chelle became the first non-Nigerian African manager of the Super Eagles when he took over as Nigeria’s manager in 2024.
Nigeria won a bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations under his direction, receiving recognition for their enhanced attacking framework and tactical discipline.
The alleged connection to Marseille is not wholly surprising. Prior interest was shown by the fact that the French club had contacted Chelle while he was with Mali.
Additionally, he was recently spotted at a Coupe de France game at the Stade Vélodrome, which fueled
conjecture.
Chelle isn’t seen to be the front-runner for the position, though. Because of his close ties to Red Star FC, former Marseille player and current manager Habib Beye is considered a top contender.
