Ex-Super Eagles star Emenalo steps down as Saudi Pro League football chief

By Ayobami Okerinde

Former Super Eagles defender and Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo has stepped down as the Saudi Pro League’s chief football executive.

The Saudi Pro League confirmed on Tuesday that Emenalo, who also headed the league’s Player Acquisition Center of Excellence (PACE), will leave at the expiration of his contract after joining the organisation in 2023.

In a statement, the Saudi Pro League thanked Emenalo for his contributions and wished him success in his future endeavours.

Reflecting on his tenure in a statement to The Athletic, Emenalo described the league’s transformation as an “audacious ambition” that many initially believed was unattainable.

“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,” he said.

He added that his team had established the structures and standards needed to sustain the league’s long-term growth.

“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.”

Emenalo, whose son, Landon, plays for the Chelsea academy, is keen to be closer to his family in Europe.

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