The Saudi Arabia professional football league (SPL) is set to appoint Michael Emenalo as its first director of football.
Amid a massive drive to sign big-name players and managers, this move provides yet another indication of the league’s ambition, plus a commitment not only to secure elite on-pitch talent but leading off-field personnel too.
The Nigerian will be a resourceful addition to the league following his experience in a similar role while he was at Chelsea Football Club between 2011-17, 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.
