He was added to the three other foreign coaches shortlisted for consideration by the NFF executive committee on the search for a new coach of the Super Eagles.
Also Herve Renard of France has been linked to the vacant coaching position of the United States of America, one of the co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup.
He is also on the shopping list of French club FC Metz, while Mali are reconsidering getting him back as coach following a serious revolt by the players, who have insisted he be recalled or they won’t feature for Eagles of Mali.
The 47-year-old Chelle was the captain of RC Lens in his playing days at the height of the prowess in the French Ligue 1.
Former Liverpool and PSG star Mohamed Sissiko described Chelle’s time in Mali as magical.
“He was very positive for Mali,” he affirmed.
Sources close to the coach told Kpomkwem News correspondence that he will not return as Mali coach despite the pressure mounted on him particularly by the players to return.
“He is very interested in the job, he knows our players, he has all his plans mapped and he knows what he will do to get them flying again,” another credible source revealed.