AS Monaco appoint Michael Emenalo as sporting director

The Ligue 1 side AS Monaco have appointed former Chelsea technical director , chief scout and assistant manager Michael Emenalo as their new sporting director.

Emenalo, one of Roman Abramovich’s most trusted advisors, resigned on Nov. 6 after 10 years at the club amid reports of tensions between head coach Antonio Conte and the club’s hierarchy.

The 52-year-old, who played for Nigeria at the 1994 World Cup, also had an alleged frosty relationship with former Chelsea and current Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho.

Speaking to Monaco’s club website about his new role, Emenalo said: “It’s a wonderful opportunity for me in such a high quality project.

“AS Monaco has shown a great evolution in the past few seasons and I am convinced that the club will keep being successful.

“[AS Monaco Vice President] Vadim Vasilyev convinced me to join and I believe this is the right choice for me after my decision to leave Chelsea.”

Emenalo joins last season’s Champions League semifinalists after a successful spell at Chelsea in which time the Blues won three Premier League titles, three FA Cups, the Champions League, the Europa League and the League Cup. He also oversaw the under-19s side, winning two Youth Leagues in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

Vasilyev told the club’s website: “I have been following Michael Emenalo’s work for a long time and I am very happy to have him here after he chose to quit Chelsea.

“His know-how in scouting networks, as well as the technical skills he developed working in one of the most successful clubs in the world in the past few years, are the main reasons leading us to present him our ambitious challenge.

“Through this appointment, it is a further sign that we are ambitious and competitive in our model.”

Monaco next face Claudio Ranieri’s Nantes in Ligue 1 on Nov. 29 before a trip to FC Porto in the Champions League on Dec. 6.

( ESPN)