Nigeria national team head coach Eric Chelle has revealed that his ultimate managerial ambition is to one day lead Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid and become the first African to occupy the club’s dugout.

Speaking in a recent interview, the 48-year-old tactician did not shy away from outlining his long-term vision, describing the Real Madrid job as the pinnacle of his coaching aspirations.

“My biggest dream is to become the first African coach in the history of Real Madrid,” Chelle declared, emphasizing the personal significance of the goal and what it would represent for African football as a whole.

Chelle has steadily enhanced his reputation on the continent through strong showings at the Africa Cup of Nations. He first gained widespread recognition after guiding Mali to the semi-finals of AFCON 2023. He replicated that achievement two years later with Nigeria at AFCON 2025, where the Super Eagles reached the last four and eventually secured a bronze medal.

Those performances cemented his status as one of Africa’s rising coaching figures.

However, his spell with Nigeria has also had its challenges. Appointed during a difficult phase with just six qualification matches remaining, Chelle was unable to steer the Super Eagles to a place at the FIFA World Cup.

A former professional player, Chelle transitioned into coaching with a focus on tactical structure, discipline, and youth development — qualities that have shaped his managerial identity. While a move to a club of Real Madrid’s magnitude may still be a distant ambition, the Super Eagles boss believes sustained success and steady progress could eventually open such doors.

For now, Chelle remains focused on his national team duties, but his dream of managing Los Blancos continues to fuel his long-term ambitions.