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Exclusive: Michael Emenalo quits Chelsea in major blow to Roman Abramovich
Michael Emenalo has shocked Chelsea by stepping down from his position as technical director, despite a plea from Roman Abramovich to stay. As exclusively revealed by Telegraph Sport on Monday, Emenalo brought his 10-year association with the club to an end following the victory over Manchester United.
It is understood Emenalo made his decision during the summer, but delayed his departure to suit Chelsea and cause the minimum amount of upheaval.
Chelsea owner Abramovich asked Emenalo to reconsider, but the 52-year-old was adamant that the time is right to take a break and spend more time with his three young boys who are aged 11, nine and seven.
The move may be viewed in some quarters as a victory for head coach Antonio Conte, who has wanted more control over transfers and whose own future has been the source of speculation.
There were stormy moments during the summer, when Chelsea failed to land a number of their top targets, but Emenalo remained supportive of the Italian who he helped to appoint last year.
Emenalo backed Conte’s controversial decision to drop David Luiz from his squad for Sunday’s visit of United that has plunged the Brazilian’s future into doubt, having been instrumental in the signing and development of Andreas Christensen.
Chelsea will consult Emenalo for advice on his replacement, but in the short-term director Marina Granovskaia will take on most of his duties.
“It is entirely my decision and it has come about for very simple reasons,” said Emenalo to Chelsea TV.
“I need an opportunity to get to see my young kids grow and also to step back and reflect on the work that I have done here and the things that we have been able to accomplish together in this great club.
“I think professionally there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this is a good time for me to step aside and let the club continue to move forward. The club is in good hands, an outstanding board of directors, a very generous owner, one of the best coaches in world football who I know from personal day-to-day interaction cares about his work and about the club, an Academy that is the best in the world bar none, a Ladies team and programme that is evolving at rapid and successful speed.
“I was speaking to a friend earlier and alluding to the fact that to support Chelsea Football Club, work for this club and love this club, to share and revel in the dramas, especially the successful ones of winning trophies, is very addictive.
“My family and I have enjoyed that addiction, and I don’t know if that passes as a legacy but I would like to be remembered as someone who absolutely enjoyed supporting and working for Chelsea Football Club.”
Conte said: “I am very sorry to see Michael leave Chelsea, and I would like to thank him for all his help and support since I arrived at this club. I have enjoyed working with him very much, we celebrated a Premier League title together in May, and I wish him the very best for the future.”
Emenalo’s decision is a huge blow to Abramovich, who counted the ex-Nigeria international among the few people he trusts and takes advice from.
During Emenalo’s time with the club, Chelsea won the Premier League title three times, the FA Cup, the League Cup, the Europa League and the Champions League.
Conte was the 10th manager Emenalo worked with and the former Notts County defender has always been viewed as a vital element of the Abramovich era.
Abramovich visited Chelsea’s Cobham training ground last week, when it is likely Emenalo will have discussed his decision to go with the Russian but his mind could not be changed.
It is an unfamiliar scenario for Abramovich, who is not used to losing employees he wishes to keep and has a reputation for firing managers.
How Chelsea plan to replace Emenalo is currently unclear, but there could be a position for Leonid Slutsky, who is a close friend of Abramovich, if he is sacked by Hull City who are struggling in the Championship.
Emenalo will not be short of offers when he decides he is ready for his next challenge, with Monaco already thought to have expressed an interest.
He gained his Uefa Pro Licence this summer and his climb up the football ladder is one of the most impressive in modern football.
Emenalo first joined Chelsea with Avram Grant in 2007 and worked as an opposition scout and assistant first-team coach under Carlo Ancelotti, replacing Ray Wilkins.
Abramovich’s decision for Emenalo to take over from Wilkins and sit on the Chelsea bench caused controversy and thrust the former defender into the spotlight.
He was promoted to technical director in 2011 and has been largely responsible for player recruitment and Chelsea’s vast youth network.
Emenalo has often been blamed for signings that have not worked out and the number of youngsters sent away on loan, but he has also enjoyed great success in his job.
Eden Hazard is one of his most successful signings, but Emenalo has also been responsible for the likes of Thibaut Courtois, Cesar Azpilicueta, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku joining Chelsea.
Emenalo was left frustrated that the likes of De Bruyne and Lukaku were not given a greater chance under former manager Jose Mourinho before they both decided to leave Chelsea.
Often remaining in the background, Emenalo made headlines after Chelsea sacked Mourinho in 2015 by blaming “palpable discord between the players and the manager.”
As is the norm, there was no public comment from Abramovich on Emenalo’s exit. But Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck said: “It is with regret that the owner and board of directors accepted Michael’s resignation. He has had a tremendous impact on the club over the past 10 years and this is evident in everything we have achieved. We are sorry to see him go, but understand his desire to move on and explore new challenges.”