London: Michael Emenalo has shocked Chelsea by stepping down from his position as technical director, despite a plea from the club’s owner, Roman Abramovich, to stay. Emenalo brought his 10-year association to an end following the victory over Manchester United on Sunday. It is understood he had made his decision in the summer, but delayed his exit to suit Chelsea and cause minimum upheaval. Abramovich asked Emenalo to reconsider, but the 52-year-old was adamant that the time was right to take a break and spend more time with his three sons, 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 targets but Emenalo remained supportive of the Italian whom 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,” Emenalo told 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, 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 enjoyed supporting and working for Chelsea.” Conte said: “I am very sorry to see Michael leave, and I would like to thank him for all his help and support since I arrived. 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 blow to Abramovich, who counted the former 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. — The Telegraph Group Limited, London 2017
London: Michael Emenalo has shocked Chelsea by stepping down from his position as technical director, despite a plea from the club’s owner, Roman Abramovich, to stay. Emenalo brought his 10-year association to an end following the victory over Manchester United on Sunday. It is understood he had made his decision in the summer, but delayed his exit to suit Chelsea and cause minimum upheaval. Abramovich asked Emenalo to reconsider, but the 52-year-old was adamant that the time was right to take a break and spend more time with his three sons, 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 targets but Emenalo remained supportive of the Italian whom 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,” Emenalo told 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, 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 enjoyed supporting and working for Chelsea.” Conte said: “I am very sorry to see Michael leave, and I would like to thank him for all his help and support since I arrived. 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 blow to Abramovich, who counted the former 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. — The Telegraph Group Limited, London 2017
