WHO IS THE MAN ROMAN BACKED?

MICHAEL EMENALO is a former defender who played for Nigeria in the 1994 World Cup and for Notts County. Eyebrows were raised when he was appointed chief scout at Chelsea in 2007. His only previous coaching role was overseeing girls’ football in the US. Emenalo played under Avram Grant — another trusted aide of Roman Abramovich — at Maccabi Tel Aviv.

HOW DID HE RISE TO SUCH PROMINENCE?

Emenalo was given the sacked Ray Wilkins’ job as assistant manager to Carlo Ancelotti in 2010, much to the bafflement of the dressing room. The following summer he was moved to technical director — a role he held until yesterday. He was the driving force behind the club’s recruitment strategy, academy and the much-maligned loan system. More importantly, he had Abramovich’s ear.

WAS HE POPULAR?

With the club’s hierarchy? Hugely. With the fans? No. Chelsea supporters found a scapegoat in Emenalo when he appeared on the club’s in-house TV channel in the immediate aftermath of Jose Mourinho’s sacking in 2015. He referred to Mourinho as ‘the indivdual’ and cited the ‘palpable discord’ between the Portuguese and the playing staff. But he was crucial in the signing of Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard.

HOW DID HE GET ON WITH ANTONIO CONTE?

The club website told of Conte’s enjoyment at working with him. Acting in his role as Abramovich’s go-between, Emenalo would have been integral in attempting to resolve last week’s stand-off between Conte and David Luiz.

SO, WHAT NOW?

Monaco is Emenalo’s most likely destination. Meanwhile, Conte has demanded scope to mould his backroom team and Andrea Pirlo — a former player of his — announced his retirement less than an hour after Emenalo’s departure.