Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has disclosed that guiding Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid remains his ultimate career goal, expressing his desire to break new ground as the first African to manage the iconic club.
The Malian-born coach made this known during an appearance on RMC Sport’s After Afrique podcast, which was shared on 𝕏 earlier this week. According to Chelle, taking charge of the Madrid-based giants would represent the highest achievement of his coaching journey.
He described the role as the peak of his professional aspirations, stating that managing Real Madrid is the dream that continues to drive him as he builds his name on the international football scene.
Chelle’s reputation has grown in recent months following Nigeria’s impressive outing at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Under his leadership, the Super Eagles finished third after winning nearly all their matches in a campaign that boosted confidence in his tactical approach.
While reflecting on the tournament, Chelle also revisited moments that attracted public attention, including reports of dressing-room tensions involving key players such as Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen.
The discussion also touched on the widely remembered “water bottle” episode from the 2023 AFCON, when Chelle was in charge of Mali. The incident, which occurred during a dramatic quarter-final defeat to Ivory Coast, earned him the nickname “Waterman” after he collapsed close to the touchline.
Offering clarity, Chelle explained that the incident was linked to a serious health challenge rather than emotional stress from the match.
He revealed that he was struggling with atrial fibrillation throughout the tournament, a condition that caused his heart rate to spike dangerously and left him experiencing dizziness and fainting spells.
According to him, medical staff closely monitored his condition while he remained on medication, but the symptoms persisted. After the match, he became short of breath and nearly lost consciousness before a physiotherapist poured water on him to keep him alert.
Chelle added that he later underwent heart surgery following the competition and assured fans that his condition has since improved significantly, confirming that his recovery has been progressing well.
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