Premier League
MICHAEL EMENALO’S EXIT DESTROYED CHELSEA, CONTE LAMENTS
BY BOLAJI OKUNOLA.
Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte has revealed that the departure of former Super Eagles’ defender and Chelsea’s technical director, Michael Emenalo caused a big damage to the prospects of the London side finishing among the top four in the English Premier League.
According the British tabloid, The Guardian, Emenalo, one of Roman Abramovich’s most trusted lieutenants, ended a 10-year association with Chelsea in early November despite the owner having personally attempted to persuade him to stay on.
The former Nigeria defender had cited a desire to spend more time with his young family, although, as it transpired, he would take up a similar position at the then French champions Monaco a little over three weeks later.
Conte had benefited from Emenalo, a calm voice in an emotional boardroom, as a conduit between coaching staff and club hierarchy, and, while the head coach’s frustrations over recruitment policy over the summer had been perceived as criticisms of the technical director, the tensions had eased in their relationship by the time of his departure.
“To lose Michael, it was a big loss for us, yes,” said the Italian, whose team travel to Newcastle on Sunday with only slim hopes of securing a top‑four finish.
“I think so, I think so. Also because Michael did a great job for this club for many years. Last season he helped me a lot during the season. This season, until he left, he helped me a lot. I remember very well he left just after the Manchester United game … For me, for sure, it was a big loss in November.”