Michael Emenalo; Saudi's Pro League First Sporting Director

According to recent reports, the Saudi Pro League has appointed Michael Emenalo as its first director of football.

Emenalo, who is renowned for his successful stint at Chelsea from 2011 to 2017, will take up this role in the Saudi Pro League.

This move showcases Saudi Arabia’s ambition to attract top-tier talent both on and off the pitch. Emenalo’s appointment as the first director of football highlights the league’s commitment to securing high-quality personnel in various positions.

On 8 July 2011, Chelsea appointed Emenalo as Technical Director of the club. He completely restructured the club’s academy, scouting, loan, and women’s team setups, and is credited as a key figure behind the club’s success having overseen the scouting and transfers of key players including Juan Mata, Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, N’Golo Kanté, Eden Hazard, and Cesc Fàbregas.

He has been credited by numerous sources as being the driving force behind Chelsea’s most influential signings. He has also been credited for the development of the Chelsea Football Club Academy (CFC Academy) as well as the recent resurgence of the Chelsea Football Club Women’s Team.

Under him as the technical director, Chelsea won the;