Former Super Eagles player, Michael Emenalo has quit as Chelsea's technical director.
The English Premier
League champions announced on its website yesterday that Emenalo, a key
confidant of club owner, Roman Abramovich, was standing down from his
role at Stamford Bridge.
Emenalo acted as a
link between the first team and the Blues board, had an influence on
transfers, including Chelsea's much-scrutinised loan strategy, and was
involved in developing players from the academy.
The former Nigerian
international, who joined Chelsea in 2007 and has been technical
director since 2011, has already been linked with a position at Monaco.
"Chelsea Football
Club today announces that technical director Michael Emenalo has decided
to stand down from his role," the club said in a statement.
"Michael arrived at
Chelsea in 2007 and in 10 years at Stamford Bridge has contributed to a
period of unprecedented success for the first team and academy."
Emenalo said it had
been a difficult decision to make, adding: "I have had the privilege to
work alongside some of the most talented people in the world of sport
over the past 10 years and I will depart incredibly proud of the
achievements we have made.
"I wish Chelsea every success and look forward to following the club's future triumphs from afar."
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck praised Emenalo's work.
"He has had a
tremendous impact on the club over the past 10 years and this is evident
in everything we have achieved," he said. "We are sorry to see him go
but understand his desire to move on and explore new challenges."
Chelsea have had
seven permanent managers in the period since Emenalo first arrived, plus
Guus Hiddink (twice) and Rafael Benitez as lengthy interim
appointments.
Head coach Antonio
Conte's expressions of frustration at Chelsea's summer recruitment, plus
some indifferent results, had led to speculation over his future but
Conte and Emenalo had a good working relationship and the Italian said
he was sorry to see him leave the club.
During his time at
Stamford Bridge, Chelsea won three Premier League titles, three FA Cups,
the League Cup, Europa League and the Champions League in 2012 as well
as achieving huge success in youth football.
ROLE CALL OF MANAGERS DURING EMENALO'S TIME
Avram Grant (2007-08)
Luiz Felipe Scolari (2008-09)
Ray Wilkins (2009, caretaker)
Guus Hiddink (2009, interim)
Carlo Ancelotti (2009-11)
0 comments:
Post a Comment