Eric Chelle Linked With Marseille Job As Super Eagles Coach Praises Moses Simon

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has emerged as one of the candidates being considered for the vacant Olympique Marseille managerial role following Roberto De Zerbi’s departure by mutual consent on Tuesday.

According to journalist Lassana Camara, Eric Chelle is among several names on Marseille’s shortlist as the French side begin their search for a new head coach. Senegalese tactician Habib Beye, who was recently dismissed by Stade Rennes, is also reportedly under consideration.

Chelle’s growing reputation in African and European football has been boosted by his impressive spell with Nigeria, where he led the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The 48-year-old remains under contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) until January 2027, making any potential move dependent on negotiations at both club and international levels.

While speculation around his future continues, Chelle has been full of praise for Super Eagles winger Moses Simon, describing the Paris FC forward as a key tactical asset for the national team.

In an interview with RMC Sport’s After Foot last Friday, Chelle highlighted Simon’s strength, directness and influence on Nigeria’s attacking structure.

He said, “Moses Simon is a powerful left winger, and that’s the main thing he contributes to the team. He does well in one-on-one and two-on-two situations. In Nigeria, we usually play with a diamond.

“When we play deeper, we use a flat 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1 formation, and he usually helps us keep stability on the wing and add width to our play.

“When you play through the wings, the opposing team’s defense moves toward the center, and then you can spread the play back out to the sides using Simon, Chukwueze, or Ejuke.”

Simon, who moved from Nantes to Paris FC last summer on a three-year contract, has made a strong start to life in the French capital, registering four goal contributions in his first seven Ligue 1 appearances.

Reflecting on the winger’s club form, Chelle added, “I watched some Paris FC games at the start of the season. He began well when he got there. When he played in Nantes, the play usually focused on him. The plan was to move the ball to the sides and get Moses Simon into one-on-one situations.

“At a new club, the approach is different, and he needs to move more towards the center before getting the ball. It is a bit complicated. I am happy with what he is doing for the national team.”

During the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, Simon featured mainly as a substitute, although he started in the group-stage clash against Uganda and the third-place play-off against Egypt, as Chelle rotated his squad and rested key players.