Nigeria’s Michael Emenalo, former Chelseas’ technical director, has rejected the director of football role offered by Newcastle
By Kehinde Okeowo
Report emanating from England suggests former Nigerian footballer and Chelseas’ ex-football director, Michael Emenalo, has declined Newcastle’s offer of director of football.
The 56-year-old, who had a brief spell as football director at Monaco, had a more successful career with Chelsea, winning three Premier Leagues, the FA and League Cups, the Champions and Europa League titles with the London side.
According to the Telegraph, Michael Emenalo rejected the offer because his short and long-term ideas to improve the club is at variance with the clubs’ ambition.
It was understood he met the Newcastle hierarchy in Saudi Arabia, but despite being the clubs’ preferred candidate, Director Jamie Reuben and Newcastles’ Saudi owners could not reach an agreement with him.
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The newspaper further reported that Emenalo did not decline the offer because Newcastle were relation bound, therefore, the club could re-approach him in the future with an improved proposition.
It is believed Newcastle, for now, may sign someone for the role on an interim basis, due to the belief that Staveley’s transfer approach is not ideal, they want a seasoned director to oversee players recruitment as they try to avoid the drop
Newcastles’ new Manager, Eddie Howe, picked up a vital win against fellow strugglers, Burnley yesterday, and moved to 10 points and above Norwich City into the 19th position.
Coincidentally, that will be Newcastles’ first win of the season, as they were the only Premier League team yet to win a football match until the game.
Michael Emenalo is a highly respected name in the game, given his success with the Chelsea football club. As a player, he had a total of 14 and 43 appearances for Nigeria and Maccabi Tel Aviv respectively.
