Marseille Appoints Habib Beye, Ending Eric Chelle's Managerial Speculation
In a decisive move that has captured the attention of football fans across Europe and Africa, Olympique de Marseille has officially appointed Habib Beye as their new head coach. This announcement effectively closes the door on any possibility of Nigeria's national team head coach, Eric Chelle, taking charge at the prestigious French Ligue 1 club. The decision comes after weeks of intense speculation linking Chelle to the vacant managerial position following the dismissal of Roberto De Zerbi two weeks ago.
Chelle's Links to French Football Fueled Rumors
Eric Chelle had emerged as a strong candidate for the Marseille job, largely due to his deep connections within French football and his rapidly growing reputation on the African continent. As a coach with significant experience in French football circles, many observers believed he was perfectly positioned for a return to club management in France. The rumors gained substantial momentum when Chelle signed with a new football agency on February 19, a strategic move widely interpreted as positioning himself for a potential career transition to European club football.
The timing of Marseille's announcement is particularly significant, as it comes at a period of increasing uncertainty regarding Chelle's future with the Nigerian national team. Since the conclusion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in January, Chelle's position has been the subject of ongoing speculation, with multiple national team vacancies in Angola, Tunisia, and Algeria reportedly showing interest in securing his services.
Delicate Timing for Nigeria's Super Eagles
This development arrives at a critical juncture for Nigerian football, with a FIFA international window approaching next month. The Super Eagles are currently awaiting the outcome of a FIFA review related to the DR Congo case, which could significantly impact their path to the World Cup playoffs. The distraction of managerial uncertainty could potentially affect team preparations during this crucial period.
Chelle currently has just one year remaining on his contract with the Nigeria Football Federation, and despite public expressions of desire to retain him, formal extension negotiations have yet to be finalized. The federation's delay in securing his long-term commitment has created an opening for other African nations to pursue the coach, some of whom can offer the immediate guarantee of World Cup participation this year—a compelling prospect for any international manager.
What This Means for Chelle's Future
With Marseille's decision now confirmed, Eric Chelle's immediate options have narrowed, but his long-term future with Nigeria remains far from certain. The interest from other African national teams presents both opportunity and complication for the Nigeria Football Federation. Unless a new agreement is secured promptly, Chelle could be tempted by offers that provide clearer international tournament pathways and potentially more stable contractual terms.
The situation highlights the broader challenges facing African national teams in retaining top coaching talent amid competition from both European clubs and other continental federations. For Nigerian football supporters, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Chelle continues to lead the Super Eagles through their World Cup qualification campaign or if the federation will need to begin searching for a replacement during a critical competitive phase.
