Ghodoussi: No offer to Emenalo

NEWCASTLE United part-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi has denied the Magpies offered Michael Emenalo the job as director of football.

The former Chelsea and Monaco transfer supremo’s representatives claim that he has held talks and rejected the position. They have also told The Chronicle that he is still willing to re-open discussions.

Emenalo held talks with Newcastle in Saudi Arabia about taking the vacant post but over the weekend a number of reports suggested his ambitious plans were not matched by the powersthat-be at St James’ Park.

But Ghodoussi took to social media yesterday to dismiss an article in a national newspaper on the matter.

He wrote: “Contrary to a newspaper report, Michael Emenalo was never offered the job of Sporting Director or Director of Football at Newcastle United. Facts matter.”

A Newcastle spokesperson also said: “There is a thorough recruitment process ongoing to ensure we get the right person for the job”.

Emenalo is believed to have a recruitment plan ready to go with the January transfer window now just weeks away. He also wants to use his extensive network of contacts to bring in more talented young players.

Restructuring the club’s academy is another priority for the former Nigerian international, according to those close to him.

During his time at Chelsea, he was reponsible for bringing in stars like Juan Mata, N’Golo Kante, Eden Hazard and Cesar Azpilicueta among others. He also championed Mohamed Salah and Kevin de Bruyne but the duo only found success elsewhere.

United co-owner and Ghodoussi’s wife Amanda Staveley said in October: “You can bring in the best sporting director in the world but you’ve got no infrastructure.

“Your medical staff, your training facilities, they need really heavy investment and that’s what we need to know at every single level. “We need to attract people to work with us as well who share our dream and will do that.”

Head coach Eddie Howe, along with director Jamie Reuben, is thought to be in favour of Emenalo’s arrival.

The 44-year-old said of the possibility of a director of football arriving: “It is essential you have a structure that works for your club.”