Emenalo Departs Saudi Pro League As Chief Football Executive

Former Super Eagles defender Michael Emenalo is leaving his role as chief football executive of the Saudi Pro League (SPL), The Athletic reports.

The former Chelsea technical director, who is also leaving his position as head of the league’s Player Acquisition Center of Excellence (PACE), departs at the end of a three-year contract having arrived in 2023.

Emenalo has helped drive the recruitment of a number of high-profile players to the SPL during his tenure while also placing an emphasis on lowering the league’s age profile and attracting younger players.

The former Nigeria international is now keen to be closer to his family with interest already registered from clubs in Europe.

A statement from the SPL read: “The SPL extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to Emenalo for his efforts during his time with the league, and wishes him continued success in his future endeavours.”

“When I joined SPL’s transformation journey in 2023, what struck me most was the audacity of its ambition. We set out to do something few believed possible, on a timeline fewer still thought realistic,” Emenalo said in an exclusive statement to The Athletic. “During the period since, we have introduced and stewarded the standards and frameworks needed to pursue this audacious ambition seriously.

“This foundation is, to me, the achievement that matters most. There is, of course, still work to be done to develop the league and to grow football across Saudi Arabia; no undertaking of this scale is ever truly finished. But I believe I leave our league on a strong footing, well positioned for continued success.

“On a personal level, it has been a genuine pleasure to immerse myself in Saudi culture, to learn from it, and to experience the excitement of this adventure. I thank everyone who has supported and collaborated with me along the way, in particular the staff of the Saudi Pro League and the members of the football development department, whose excellence, resilience, and dedication were the driving force behind everything we achieved.

“I am equally grateful to the presidents and sporting directors of SPL clubs, with whom I have had the great privilege to work. Their support, for me and for my staff, made our work both better and more impactful. I leave satisfied with the state of the league and with the vast improvement of the football ecosystem we have built together.”