Nigeria’s Michael Emenalo set to become Saudi Pro League’s first director of football

The Saudi Pro League (SPL) is set to appoint former Nigeria international and former Chelsea Sporting Director Michael Emenalo as its first director of football.

Emenalo occupied a similar role at Chelsea between 2011-2017, overseeing a hugely successful period across the men’s, women’s and academy sides at the west London club.

Emenalo in his six years at Chelsea, played a huge role in bringing in highly talented players like Eden Hazard, N’Golo Kante, Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne.

The Nigerian is regarded among the best in his field and will be responsible for helping the Saudi Pro League develop frameworks and applying the kind of principles that are seen in the world’s biggest divisions.

The 57-year-old 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.

A formal announcement of his new position as the Sporting Director of the Saudi Pro League is expected soon.