Nigeria’s Michael Emenalo has offered to resign from his role as Chelsea’s sporting director to facilitate the return of Jose Mourinho.
But
it is understood that Emenalo’s proposal was immediately rejected by
Roman Abramovich, the owner, who views him as an important adviser and
wants to keep him at Stamford Bridge, The Times reports. Emenalo who has
at various times served as the club’s international scout and assistant
coach is now the Technical Director.
Emenalo’s
influence emerged as a potential problem during negotiations to bring
Mourinho back as manager, but Abramovich is determined to keep him and
is adamant that the pair work together. Mourinho did not demand
Emenalo’s removal, but the former Nigeria international is ready to give
way for the good of the team.
Behind-the-scenes
talks for his expected return to Stamford Bridge have seen Mourinho
demand for ‘full control’ rebuffed by Abramovich and his board. They
have insisted that the Technical Director must remain in charge of
player recruitment. Mourinho has also been told he will have to accept
working under Emenalo if he wants to return to Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho
raised the hopes and expectations of the Blues fans that he was on his
way “home” as he spoke warmly of the enduring “love” from the Chelsea
faithful during one of the UEFA Champions League post-match media
briefings.
But
while the “Special One” and his advisors have been involved in
negotiations with the Chelsea hierarchy for months the rejection of the
demand for full control has seen the Portuguese checking his option by
also looking in the direction of Paris St Germain, who have also held
talks with his agent Jorge Mendes and are likely to bend over backwards
to offer the 50-year-old a deal he wants.
But
despite the PSG opportunity Mourinho’s preferred option is to go back
to Chelsea where Emenalo is now in charge following changes made in the
administration of the London club after the ‘Special One’ left there six
years ago. After Mourinho left in 2007 Emenalo took charge of player
recruitment and involved in the ongoing negotiations to land Atletico
Madrid striker Radomel Falcao and Andre Schuerrle from Bayer Leverkusen.
His
ranking in Chelsea may have made him to ignore the Nigeria Football
Federation when they tried reaching him for the position of Technical
Director for Nigeria in 2010. Emenalo played in the 1994 World Cup with
the Super Eagles.
Read more: xclusivetalk.blogspot.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment