EMENALO APPOINTED MONACO SPORTING DIRECTOR

French club AS Monaco have appointed Michael Emenalo as their new sporting director.
The 52-year-old Nigerian, this month, left Chelsea, where he served in various roles, including Technical Director.
He has now taken a role with the Ligue 1 champions, where he will be working with vice-President Vadim Vasilyev.
Emenalo said: ‘This is a wonderful opportunity for me in a high quality project. AS Monaco has shown great progress for several seasons and I am convinced that the future will be just as ambitious.
“Vasilyev’s willingness to see me join was decisive and for me, the choice was natural after my decision to leave Chelsea.”
Emenalo had several jobs with Chelsea before being promoted to technical director in 2011.
While in charge of recruitment, the club pulled off the transfer of several notable stars, including Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois and N’Golo Kante.
During his stay with the Blues, the club won 3 league titles (2010, 2015, 2017), 3 French Cups (2009, 2010, 2012), the League Cup (2015), the League Europa (2013) and especially the Champions League (2012).
He also helped make the Chelsea Academy one of the most competitive in Europe, winning the UEFA Youth League in 2015 and 2016.
However, Chelsea endured a frustrating transfer window last summer, missing out on several key targets, including Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United, while key midfielder Nemanja Matic was also sold to Old Trafford.
Emenalo eventually fell out with both owner Roman Abramovich and manager Antonio Conte, and left the club at the start of November. He had been blamed for the lacklustre summer of transfers.
He told Chelsea TV at the time: “It is entirely my decision and it has come about for very simple reasons. I need to see my kids grow and to step back and reflect on the work I have done here and the things that we have been able to accomplish at this great club.”