Former chairman of the Gombe State Football Association, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe, has criticised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over reports that it may extend the contract of Eric Chelle, head coach of the Super Eagles.
Chelle, who reportedly earns about $50,000 monthly and has less than a year remaining on his contract, is said to have tabled a list of demands — including a proposed salary increase to $130,000 — as conditions for renewing his deal.
Reacting to the development in an interview with The Guardian, Gara-Gombe warned that offering the coach a new contract on such terms would be a mistake for Nigeria.
He argued that Chelle may be attempting to leverage the visibility gained from managing the national team to negotiate improved conditions, adding that the Super Eagles’ stature should outweigh any individual bargaining position.
Gara-Gombe also dismissed reports linking the coach with French club Olympique Marseille, describing such claims as unconvincing while insisting that the reported demands appear unrealistic.
He maintained that if the coach is unwilling to continue under existing terms, the federation should allow him to leave, stressing that retaining him under the proposed conditions could prove costly for the country.