)
Here is all you need to know about the life and career of new Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle, including his net worth, profile, age, career, achievements, and records.
The Nigerian Football Federation announced former Mali Boss Eric Chelle as the new Super Eagles head coach ahead of the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying matches in March.
While there have been mixed reactions to his appointment, we at Pulse Sports Nigeria have taken the time to get you all the necessary information about the Malian.
Who is Eric Chelle? (Eric Chelle Background)
Chelle is currently a football manager and retired football player who was a centre-back during his active playing days.
The new Super Eagles head coach is a man of multiple nationalities, as he was born in Ivory Coast, but to a French father and a Malian mother.
)
Due to his French ties, the former defender was able to spend his entire football career in France, playing for several clubs in the country.
Chelle would later represent Mali on the international stage, though he did not feature a lot for the African country, making only five appearances across two years with the national team.
After retiring from playing, the former defender transitioned into coaching. He managed various clubs in France, one in Africa, and a national team, and has now just been appointed as head coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
How old is Eric Chelle? (Eric Chelle age)
Chelle was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on November 11, 1977, making him 47 years old as of January 2025.
Eric Chelle Club Career
)
A former professional defender, he played his entire club career in France.
He featured for French sides including Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais before retiring.
His senior club career kicked off with Martigues, where he played 74 times before moving to Valenciennes.
It was at Valenciennes he really found his footing, and he stayed there the longest in his career, representing the club 142 times while also contributing 10 goals during his five-year period at the club and winning Ligue 2 once and winning the French National 1 Cup.
In 2008, he joined RC Lens, where he played for three years and also won the Ligue 1 title, before joining Istres, where he played for another two years.
His final club was Chamois Niortais, whom he joined in 2013, and played for one year before finally hanging his boot at 37 years old.
Eric Chelle International Career
)
Though he was born in Ivory Coast, and had a French passport, Chelle decided to represent his mother’s country, Mali.
However, he did not have a great playing career with the Malian national team, winning just fuve caps between 2004 and 2006.
Eric Chelle Coaching Career
)
After his playing career, Chelle transitioned into coaching.
In the same year he retired from playing active football, he became assistant coach at French amateur football club, GS Consolat, befeoe becoming head coach of the same team in 2016, though he was in that role for just a year before joining a new club.
Chelle has spent the majority of his coaching career in the lower tiers of French football, moving from Consolat to Martigues, where he managed for four years.
)
He had a short spell with Boulogne in 2021, after which he was appointed as Mali’s head coach. He took Mali to the semifinals of the last Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast, losing 2-1 to the hosts, who were the eventual winners.
However, he was dismissed on June 13, 2024, after which he joined Algerian side MC Oran.
His stint with Oran was short, as he was announced by the Nigeria Football Federation as the head coach of the Super Eagles on January 7, 2025.
Eric Chelle Coaching Stats
)
GS Consolat: September 2016 - June 2017
Managed 30 Games, Won 16, Drew 6, Lost 8 —53.33% Win Rate
FC Martigues: November 2017 - May 2021
Managed 80 Games, Won 35 , Drew 24, Lost 21—43.75% Win Rate
Boulogne: May 2021 - December 2021
Managed 16 Games, Won 2, Drew 5, Lost 9 —12.50% Win Rate
)
Mali: May 2022 - June 2024
Managed 22 Games, Won 14, Drew 5, Lost 3—63.64% Win Rate
MC Oran: October 2024
Managed 7 Games, Won 2, Drew 1, Lost 4—28.57% Win Rate
Nigeria: January 2025
Total: 148 Games, Won 67, Drew 40, Lost 41—45.27% Win Rate
Eric Chelle Net Worth
Chelle's net worth is not publicly disclosed as of 2025. However, his wealth is predictably primarily derived from his professional football career and subsequent managerial roles.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)