Nigeria’s Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has revealed that his long-term goal in football management is to become the first African to take charge of Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid, a feat he described as a defining landmark in his coaching journey.
The Malian-born coach shared this ambition while discussing his future aspirations and determination to reach the pinnacle of European club football.
In a televised interview aired on RMC Sport’s After Afrique podcast and posted on X on Monday, the former Valenciennes defender said managing Real Madrid remains the ultimate objective as he steadily builds his reputation on the global stage.
“My dream is to become the first African coach to manage Real Madrid,” Chelle said.
Chelle recently led Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Super Eagles recorded an impressive outing at the tournament, winning all but one of their matches during the campaign.
The strong showing significantly enhanced Chelle’s standing and attracted praise from football observers, many of whom see his ambition as symbolic of the growing international recognition being accorded to African coaches.
During the interview, the Super Eagles boss also reflected on pivotal moments from the 2025 AFCON, touching on squad management issues and reports of tension involving Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen.
He also revisited the widely shared “water bottle” episode from the 2023 AFCON with Mali, an incident that earned him the nickname “Waterman” after he collapsed close to the technical area during a dramatic quarter-final loss to Ivory Coast.
Chelle later explained that the incident was connected to a serious medical condition.
Speaking again on the After Afrique podcast, he said, “I was feeling faint.”
He disclosed that he had been dealing with atrial fibrillation throughout the tournament.
“During the preparation for the AFCON, I suffered from atrial fibrillation. My heart was beating at 200 beats per minute all the time.
I was being monitored and taking medication, but I had dizziness and fainting spells. I spent the entire AFCON like that. After the match, I needed to catch my breath and was about to faint.
“The physiotherapist next to me knew I was fainting and put water on my head to keep me awake,” Chelle said.
After undergoing heart surgery following the tournament, the Super Eagles coach confirmed that his health has since improved, assuring supporters that his recovery has been positive, adding, “It’s going very well.”
What you should know
Eric Chelle’s comments underline both his ambition and resilience. Having guided Nigeria to a strong AFCON finish, he has positioned himself among Africa’s most talked-about coaches.
His openness about his health struggles during past tournaments has also drawn admiration, highlighting the physical and mental demands of elite football management.
Chelle’s dream of coaching Real Madrid reflects a broader push for African representation at the highest levels of global football, where few African managers have been given opportunities despite growing success on the international stage.
