Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has expressed his long-term ambition to manage Spanish football giants Real Madrid, aiming to become the first African to take charge of the La Liga club.
In an interview with RMC Sport, the Malian-born tactician stated, “My dream is to become the first African coach to manage Real Madrid.” Chelle, a former Valenciennes defender, has been building his coaching profile on the international stage, most recently guiding Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
That achievement has enhanced his reputation across African football and sparked broader discussions about the rising credibility of African coaches in global football.
Chelle also reflected on challenges during the 2025 AFCON campaign, including managing reported tensions within the squad involving forwards Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen.
Additionally, he addressed the dramatic “water bottle” incident from the 2023 AFCON, when he was coaching Mali. During a quarter-final match against Ivory Coast, Chelle collapsed near the bench, earning him the nickname “Waterman.” He later explained on the *After Afrique* podcast that the episode was related to a serious heart condition.
“I suffered from atrial fibrillation. My heart was beating at 200 beats per minute all the time,” he revealed. “I spent the entire AFCON like that. After the match, I needed to catch my breath—I was about to faint.”
Despite the health challenges, Chelle remains focused on his coaching trajectory, with Real Madrid representing the pinnacle of his professional aspirations.
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