Chelsea technical director Emenalo quits
Chelsea’s technical director Michael Emenalo — a key confidant of owner Roman Abramovich at Stamford Bridge — is standing down from his role, the reigning Premier League champions said on Monday. 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 privil