Eric Chelle, the Malian tactician, has opened up on how he landed the Super Eagles coaching job.
Chelle, 47, was named the Super Eagles’ substantive head coach by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, in January.
His appointment came as a surprise, given the number of top coaches linked with the job.
It was the first time an African would be saddled with the responsibility of managing the Super Eagles.
Chelle claimed he didn’t lobby for the job.
“When I left the Malian team, there was a call for applications from the NFF, and so I applied like any other coach, and then the interview came,” Chelle told CANAL+SPORT Afrique.
“I was invited to a coaches’ conference where I presented my project, vision, and philosophy. I thought it would happen much faster, but due to some events, I had to wait, so I left.
“I left for Rouen, but then it’s true that I had this opportunity, which I risked losing. So I returned, for this great project.”
