Nov 6, 2017: Nigerian Michael Emenalo has shocked Chelsea by quitting his post as the technical director of the West London club.

Emenalo who first joined Chelsea with Avram Grant in 2007 and worked as an opposition scout and assistant first-team coach under Carlo Ancelotti, replacing Ray Wilkins, decided to bring his 10-year association with the club to an end on Monday, November 6, 2017.

Emenalo’s decision is a huge blow to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who counted the 52-year-old among the few people he trusts and takes advice from, the UK Telegraph reports.

The decision of the Chelsea owner for Emenalo to take over from Wilkins and sit on the Chelsea bench caused controversy and thrust the former Nigerian defender into the spotlight.

Emenalo was promoted to technical director in 2011 and has been largely responsible for player recruitment and Chelsea’s vast youth network.

The Nigerian was responsible for the major signings at Chelsea football club which includes Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois, Cesar Azpilicueta, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.

Emenalo helped Chelsea to win the Premier League title three times, the FA Cup, the League Cup, the Europa League and the Champions League.

Emenalo has worked with several coaches at the London club with Antonio Conte being the 10th manager the Nigerian has worked with, making him a vital element of the Abramovich era.

Born in Nigerian, Emenalo moved to the United States in 1986 where he graduated from Boston University with a degree in international relations with political sciences.

Having played college football in America, his career continued in Belgium with Molenbeek and Germany with Eintracht Trier before moving to England to play for Notts County in 1994. That same year he played in the USA World Cup for Nigeria and won a total of 14 caps for the Super Eagles.

Israelis club, Maccabi Tel Aviv was the last club Emenalo played for and did that under Avram Grant and that association eventually facilitated his move to Chelsea.

UK Telegraph reports that Abramovich visited Chelsea’s Cobham training ground last week when it is likely Emenalo will have discussed the matter with the Russian.

Emenalo gained his Uefa Pro Licence this summer and his climb up the football ladder is one of the most impressive in modern football.

Meanwhile, the UK Mirror reports that Emenalo is eying a potential role at the French club, AS Monaco in a similar capacity.

UK Telegragh