I couldn’t find any credible report or direct quote from Eric Chelle stating: “Pay me if you want to fire me, I earned more as a club coach.”

It appears this claim may be misattributed, unverified, or possibly fabricated.

Extensive checks across reliable Nigerian and international sports media yielded no such statement from Chelle.

Here’s what we do know, based on verifiable sources:

What is verified about Chelle’s compensation and context

• Financial Sacrifice to Join Nigeria
  Before accepting the Super Eagles job, Chelle was with MC Oran in Algeria.

• He reportedly terminated his contract there, even handing over his remaining salary to the club to facilitate his release. (OwnGoal Nigeria).

• Salary Terms with Super Eagles
  Reports indicate Chelle agreed to a significant wage cut to take over the national team, accepting a salary of around US $55,000 per month, which he would share with his assistants. (OwnGoal Nigeria).

• NSC Assurance on Timely Payment
  The National Sports Commission, via a Presidential Support Group, committed to paying Chelle upfront through October 2025, to allow him to focus on guiding Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying campaign without financial distractions. (THISDAYLIVE).

What has not been found

• There is no trace of any statement from Chelle along the lines of: “Pay me if you want to fire me, I earned more as a club coach.”

• Neither domestic papers (Punch, Guardian, ThisDay) nor media outlets like Premium Times, Vanguard, Soccernet, nor sports journalists quoted him saying that.

What could have caused the confusion?

This might be a case of misquotation or rumor circulation—sometimes memes or fan commentary get mistaken for real quotes. Without a verifiable source, we can’t treat it as factual.

1. Headline suggestion:
   Eric Chelle Denies Contract Drama—Who Is the Real Story Behind the ‘Pay Me to Fire Me’ Claim?

Introduction (≈100 words):

1. • Acknowledge the viral quote and its absence in credible sources.

2. Rumor Breakdown (≈150):

   • Explain how quotes can get misattributed, especially in Nigerian football social media.

3. Verified Financial Realities (≈200):

   • Detail Chelle’s salary acceptance ($55k/month), his wage cut to join Nigeria, and his contract termination with MC Oran. (OwnGoal Nigeria).

Highlight the NSC’s move to pay him upfront through October. (THISDAYLIVE).

1. Context in World Cup Qualifiers (≈200):

Remind readers of Chelle’s precarious start—win against Rwanda, disappointing draw with Zimbabwe, fourth place in Group C. (Punch, Premium Times, African Football, Soccernet.ng).

1. Addressing Contract Rumors (≈100):

The NFF officially dismissed speculation of termination or crisis. (Punch, Premium Times, Naija News).

1. Conclusion and Call to Reasoning (≈50):

Stress importance of verifying quotes, especially in volatile sports contexts.

Urge fans and media to rely on factual reporting.

Sample Opening (≈150 words out of 800):

Claims have been circulating online that Nigeria’s Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle, said: “Pay me if you want to fire me, I earned more as a club coach.” But no reputable sports outlet—local or international—has reported Chelle making such remarks.

An exhaustive review of interviews, press briefings, and media coverage found no evidence supporting this quote.

In reality, Chelle made substantial financial sacrifices to take the job.

Prior to his appointment in January 2025, he terminated his contract with MC Oran in Algeria and forfeited his remaining salary.

Moreover, he accepted a reduced compensation package—reported at around US $55,000 per month, which he shares with his assistants—to lead Nigeria.

The National Sports Commission, backed by a Presidential Support Group, has committed to ensuring his wages are paid upfront through October 2025 so he can focus solely on steering the Super Eagles through the crucial World Cup qualifiers. (OwnGoal Nigeria, THISDAYLIVE).