Emenalo quits over Chelsea’s transfer misery
CHELSEA technical director Michael Emenalo sensationally quit yesterday as a consequence of the in-house blame game after their frustrating summer transfer window.
Despite pleas from Roman Abramovich to reconsider, Emenalo has left Stamford Bridge following a 10-year spell during which he played a lead role in the club’s transfer dealings.
And Sportsmail can reveal that Emenalo’s decision to leave is, in part, due to growing tensions between manager Antonio Conte and the Blues board over their summer business.
Conte has made no secret of his dissatisfaction at Chelsea’s latest transfer window, with the club failing to land a number of his targets, including Juventus pair Alex Sandro and Leonardo Bonucci, with the latter joining AC Milan instead. Nemanja Matic’s move to Manchester United has also created disquiet behind the scenes.
Sources claim Emenalo and Conte were involved in a number of heated discussions over the club’s transfer policy over the summer. Emenalo has been under pressure from the Chelsea hierarchy to quell Conte’s public remarks over his unhappiness at the strength of his squad.
Indeed, Emenalo has borne the brunt for what has been widely perceived as a disappointing summer transfer window. And those tensions have finally reached breaking point, resulting in Emenalo making the decision to leave the club yesterday.
He is expected to take a break from football to spend time with his children before making a decision on his next move.
But the possibility of a role with Monaco could entice the Nigerian in the future. Sportsmail understands the Ligue 1 club are interested in recruiting Emenalo if he chooses to return to the game.
For now, though, Emenalo has spoken of the difficulty behind his decision to leave west London.
‘After 10 years here, 10 wonderful, successful years, but very demanding years, it is a very tough decision to decide to step aside,’ Emenalo told Chelsea TV. ‘It is entirely my decision and it has come about for very simple reasons. I need to get to see my young kids and also to reflect on the work that I have done here and the things that we have been able to accomplish in this great club.
‘It is something I have been thinking about for quite some time now and it is something I have discussed with my family and they understand the reasons and the timing for wanting to step aside.
‘But this is not a knee-jerk reaction or decision, it has been on my mind and it has been thoroughly discussed amongst friends and colleagues that this is what I wanted to do and I am very grate- ful that the club has given me ample time to reflect on that decision and to be sure, which is testament to the respect and the admiration that I have always enjoyed at this club.’
Emenalo’s departure leaves a gaping hole for Abramovich to fill going forward. The 52-year-old had a hands-on role in all of Chelsea’s transfer dealings, particularly in securing loan deals for the club’s fringe players.
Abramovich’s close aide Marina Granovskaia will assume part of Emenalo’s role in the interim, as will Eddie Newton, who is currently loan technical coach.
A potential contender to replace Emenalo in the long-term is Hull manager Leonid Slutsky, who has a close relationship with fellow Russian Abramovich.
Meanwhile, Abramovich will not use Conte’s spat with David Luiz as a reason to sack the Italian.
Luiz was axed from Conte’s squad to face Manchester United on Sunday after questioning his manager’s tactics in training ahead of the game.
Intriguingly, Emenalo played a key role in bringing Luiz back to Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain in 2016.
Despite Sunday’s win, Conte’s position remains uncertain — but Abramovich will not use his spat with Luiz as a reason to pull the trigger.
Conte made no secret of his fury at their latest window