Michael Emenalo, a former executive at Chelsea FC, is poised to become first ever director of football for the Saudi Pro League, reported The Athletic.
Emanelo, a Nigerian national, previously occupied Chelsea’s director of football position from 2011 to 2017.
During his stint at Chelsea, he gained a reputation for his scouting system that helped bring talent onto the team such as Mohammed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, and Eden Hazard to the Stamford Bridge.
After his successes at Chelsea, which saw titles such as the UEFA Champions League, the FA Cup, and the Europa League being added to the London club’s cabinet, he was appointed sporting director of AS Monaco.
The former Nigerian international is expected to elevate the Saudi Pro League with world-renowned standards and aligning it with the world’s biggest leagues, reported The Athletic.
Emanelo will also be expected to recruit staff from around the world to help in training and developing young Saudis regarding the industry, as well as providing the Saudi Pro League sustainability that and independence from external factors.
This summer, The Saudi top flight has witnessed the arrival of a number of big names to its teams, including world-class talents such as Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Roberto Firmino, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinkovic Savic, with Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson apparently agreeing terms today with the Steven Gerrard coached Al-Ettifaq.
