Michael Emenalo

**Michael Emenalo** (born 14 July 1965) is a Nigerian sports director and former professional footballer who played as a left-back. He is sports director of the Saudi Pro League.Michael Emenalo's style of play is characterized by his strategic approach to football management and his ability to identify and nurture talent. As a former professional footballer, Emenalo's playing style was rooted in his left-back position, where he demonstrated agility, vision, and a strong work ethic. His style of play is evident in his contributions to Chelsea FC and the Saudi Pro League, where he has been instrumental in developing the sport and building a strong foundation for future generations of players. Regarded as one of the best Nigerian left-backs ever.

## Club career

He made his debut in adult football in 1983 playing for the Enugu Rangers team. In 1985, Michael moved to the United States, where he studied international relations at Boston University and studied political science. He also played football for the college team from 1985 to 1989. From there he played for the Belgian Molenbeek, the German Eintracht Trier, and the English Notts County. In the mid-90s and with Notts County, he won the Anglo-Italian Cup at Wembley. After that, Emenalo returned to the United States, where he played in the first MLS match for the San Jose Clash. Emenalo was part of the dedicated players for the major leagues of American football. There Michael spent one season and again moved to Europe, where he played for the Spanish second division team Lleida, which was then coached by Juande Ramos. Michael then moved to Israel. There, Michael Emenalo met Avram Grant when he played as a defender for Maccabi Tel Aviv under his leadership.

## International career

Between 1985 and 1995, he made 14 appearances for the Nigerian national team. He took part in the 1994 World Cup, where he did not play against Bulgaria, but he was given the opportunity to start against Argentina, Greece and Italy. He also participated in the 1995 FIFA Confederations Cup.

## Executive career

After retiring he moved to the United States where he continued to follow football and to act as an observer for some of the coaches to whom he had remained most attached. On 20 September 2007, Avram Grant, who had already coached him at Maccabi Tel Aviv, became manager of Chelsea and appointed him Chief Scout of the London club, a position that Emenalo maintained even after the Israeli coach's dismissal. On 19 November 2010, with the resignation of Ray Wilkins, he became Carlo Ancelotti's deputy.

On 8 July 2011 he was appointed technical director. On 9 June 2013, with the arrival of José Mourinho at the helm of the Blues, he presented his resignation, which would create a conflict with his position. The owner Roman Abramovič refuses to resign. He resigned from his post on 6 November 2017.

## Honours

- Player
- Belgian Second Division: 1989–1990
- Israeli League Cup: 1998–1999

- Executive member

## Honours

**Chelsea**
- Premier League: 2009–10, 2014–15, 2016–17
- FA Cup: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2011–12, 2017–18
- Football League Cup / EFL Cup: 2014–15
- UEFA Champions League: 2011–12
- UEFA Europa League: 2012–13

## Infobox (football biography)

- **name**: Michael Emenalo
- **caption**: Michael Emenalo and Petr Čech with the Premier League trophy
- **fullname**: Michael Emenalo
- **birth place**: Aba, Abia, Aba, Abia (state), Abia, Nigeria
- **height**: 1.85 m
- **position**: Left-back
- **years1**: 1983–1985
- **clubs1**: Enugu Rangers
- **caps1**: 167
- **goals1**: 6
- **years2**: 1985–1989
- **clubs2**: Boston University Terriers, Boston Terriers
- **caps2**: 222
- **goals2**: 36
- **years3**: 1989–1993
- **clubs3**: R.W.D. Molenbeek (1909), Racing White Daring Molenbeek
- **caps3**: 147
- **goals3**: 5
- **years4**: 1993–1994
- **clubs4**: SV Eintracht Trier 05, Eintracht Trier
- **caps4**: 33
- **goals4**: 0
- **years5**: 1994–1995
- **clubs5**: Notts County F.C., Notts County
- **caps5**: 17
- **goals5**: 0
- **years6**: 1996–1997
- **clubs6**: San Jose Clash
- **caps6**: 56
- **goals6**: 1
- **years7**: 1997–1998
- **clubs7**: UE Lleida, Lleida
- **caps7**: 22
- **goals7**: 1
- **years8**: 1998–2000
- **clubs8**: Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C., Maccabi Tel Aviv
- **caps8**: 43
- **goals8**: 0
- **years9**: 2000–2001
- **clubs9**: San Jose Earthquakes (1995), San Jose Earthquakes
- **caps9**: 9
- **goals9**: 0
- **years10**: 2001–2003
- **clubs10**: Stockport County F.C., Stockport County
- **caps10**: 12
- **goals10**: 9
- **totalcaps**: 731
- **totalgoals**: 58
- **nationalyears1**: 1985–1995
- **nationalteam1**: Nigeria national football team, Nigeria
- **nationalcaps1**: 14
- **nationalgoals1**: 0
- **manageryears1**: 2010–2011
- **managerclubs1**: Chelsea F.C., Chelsea (assistant)
- **manageryears2**: 2011–2017
- **managerclubs2**: Chelsea F.C., Chelsea (Technical Director)
- **manageryears3**: 2017–2019
- **managerclubs3**: AS Monaco (Technical Director)