Chelle on Marseille shortlist to replace De Zerbi News

Navigation: Home / News / News / Chelle on Marseille shortlist to replace De Zerbi

Chelle on Marseille shortlist to replace De Zerbi

By Daily Sports Nigeria on February 12, 2026

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has again emerged as a potential candidate for another coaching job, following multiple reports that French club Marseille are considering him to replace Roberto De Zerbi, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

De Zerbi and Marseille parted ways by mutual consent on Wednesday after a series of bad results — the latest being a 5-0 hammering at the hands of PSG.

As a result, they have dropped to fourth on the Ligue 1 table and were also eliminated from the UEFA Champions League.

Marseille are in search of a replacement for the Italian manager, with Chelle emerging as a potential candidate.

France-based Nigerian journalist Babatunde Ojora reported that the Super Eagles coach has been recommended to the French club.

“Nigeria head coach, Eric Sékou Chelle, has emerged as a potential candidate for Olympique de Marseille after being recommended by intermediaries in recent days,” he posted via X.

Chelle has been in France lately and was at the Orange Vélodrome last Tuesday as Olympique de Marseille secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Rennes to reach the quarter-finals of the 2025/26 Coupe de France.

Meanwhile, president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, has reiterated that the Franco-Malian coach is committed to the Super Eagles job, following recent rumours linking him with some African countries.

Chelle guided Nigeria to a third-place finish at the recently concluded 2025 AFCON in Morocco and has seen his stock rise rapidly, thanks to the Super Eagles’ performance.

Reports began to emerge after the tournament that countries such as Tunisia, Guinea, Angola and his former employers, Mali, were interested in hiring him.

According to multiple sources, Tunisian football authorities have sounded out the coach and are reportedly willing to offer a salary of around $100,000 per month.

“We still have a one-year contract with Eric, and whatever interest anyone shows in him will have to wait until his contract expires,” Gusau said on Tuesday.

“It’s not just about interest in him because he has gotten results with the Super Eagles. Even if they offer him more money, do they have the necessary materials for him to work with?

“We quite understand that he enjoys working with Nigeria, and I know he believes he can achieve his dreams in Africa with us. He has so much belief in the Super Eagles.”

Source Punch Ng

Posted February 12, 2026