 has appointed former Nigeria international Michael Emenalo as its director of football in the money-spinning league.){kind=link}
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The Saudi Pro League (SPL) has appointed former Nigeria international Michael Emenalo as its director of football in the money-spinning league, MoneyCentral reports.
Emenalo occupied a similar role at Chelsea between 2011-2017, overseeing a hugely successful period across the men’s, women’s and academy sides at the west London club.
The former Nigeria international left-back was also heavily involved in transfer activity, with the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah and N’Golo Kante recruited during his Stamford Bridge tenure.
Emenalo went on to spend two years as sporting director for AS Monaco and has since remained active in consultancy capacities.
He is regarded among the best in his field and will be responsible for helping the SPL develop frameworks and applying the kind of principles that are seen in the world’s biggest divisions.
Emenalo is expected to bring a staff with him — tapping into the expertise, experience and connections of people he has worked with before — and add others to bolster the set-up.
It is anticipated the 57-year-old will also keep a close eye on the future by giving opportunities for young Saudis to join his team, learn the industry and enhance their own careers.
Emenalo’s appointment will prove pivotal in the development of the Saudi League in the next decade and he’s expected to bring his staff with him to fully explore their expertise, experience and connections of people he has worked with before.
The Saudi Pro League has welcomed an influx of European Superstars like Ngolo Kante, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruben Neves and Kalidou Koulibaly have made their intent of development clear by bringing Emenalo on board, as his time at Chelsea and Monaco saw both clubs witness success on all fronts, amidst developments in internal revenue of the clubs and the quality of players recruited.