Chelsea have been rocked by the shock resignation of technical director Michael Emenalo.
The move comes after Emenalo got involved in a three-way power struggle with Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and director Marina Granovskaia.
Emenalo has decided to end his ten-year association with Chelsea rather than engage further in the power struggle. Relations between Emenalo, Granovskaia and Conte have been tense since the summer after a disappointing transfer window, according to the Telegraph.
Emenalo has remained supportive of Conte throughout a difficult period of results, but his exit is a blow for owner Roman Abramovich.
The Chelsea owner viewed Emenalo as one of his closest allies and has worked with him through ten different Blues managers.
Emenalo attracted attention from the fans and players at Chelsea when he was thrust into the opposition scout and assistant first-team position under Carlo Ancelotti, replacing Ray Wilkins.
The 52-year-old became technical director in 2011 and has been overseeing Chelsea’s transfer recruitment and youth development.
Chelsea have run an immensely profitable youth set-up, but often opt to sell their young stars rather than develop them in the senior side.
Chelsea 2017/18 Fixtures
West Brom (A) – Sat 18 Nov
FK Qarabag (A) – Wed Nov 22 (Champions League)
Liverpool (A) – Sat 25 NovSwansea (H) – Wed 29 Nov
Newcastle (H) – Sat 2 DecAtletico Madrid (H) – Tue 5 Dec (Champions League)
West Ham (A) – Sat 9 Dec
Huddersfield Town (A) – Tues Dec 12
Southampton (H) – Sat Dec 16
Bournemouth (H) – Wed Dec 20 (EFL Cup)
Everton (A) – Sat Dec 23
Brighton (H) – Tues Dec 26
Stoke City (H) – Sat Dec 30
FK Qarabag (A) – Wed Nov 22 (Champions League)
Liverpool (A) – Sat 25 NovSwansea (H) – Wed 29 Nov
Newcastle (H) – Sat 2 DecAtletico Madrid (H) – Tue 5 Dec (Champions League)
West Ham (A) – Sat 9 Dec
Huddersfield Town (A) – Tues Dec 12
Southampton (H) – Sat Dec 16
Bournemouth (H) – Wed Dec 20 (EFL Cup)
Everton (A) – Sat Dec 23
Brighton (H) – Tues Dec 26
Stoke City (H) – Sat Dec 30
Emenalo recruited Thibaut Courtois, Cesar Azpilicueta, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku as well as current first-team talisman, Eden Hazard.
But, he was left frustrated by the likes of Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne not been given a chance to thrive in the senior team.
The pair were sold for a profit, but have since flourished into Premier League stars for rival clubs.
Conte's statement on Emenalo's departure
‘I am very sorry to see Michael leave Chelsea, and I would like to thank him for all his help and support since I arrived at this club. I have enjoyed working with him very much, we celebrated a Premier League title together in May, and I wish him the very best for the future.’
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