Emenalo becomes Monaco’s sport director

French club Monaco have named former Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo as sport director.

The 52-year-old Nigerian, who played for his country at the 1994 World Cup, will take charge of “all sport matters”, the Ligue 1 side said.

“I believe this is the right choice for me after leaving Chelsea,” he told Monaco’s official website.

”It’s a wonderful opportunity for me in such a high quality project. AS Monaco has shown a great evolution in the past few seasons and I am convinced that the club will keep being successful.

”Vadim Vasilyev convinced me to join AS Monaco and I believe this is the right choice for me after my decision to leave Chelsea.

”I will work here with humility and try my best to bring my experience in this club which is a reference of French and European football.”

Emenalo joined Chelsea in 2007 and worked in both scouting and coaching departments before being promoted to technical director in 2011.

A defender during his playing career, Emenalo spent time in Major League Soccer during the 1990s and also played seven games for Notts County in England. Before moving abroad he played shortly for a Nigerian side Enugu Rangers.

During his time at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea won the Champions League in 2012, plus three Premier League titles, three FA Cups, the League Cup and Europa League.

The club also signed key players such as Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois and N’Golo Kante.

Monaco vice president Vadim Vasilyev said, “His know-how in scouting, as well as the technical skills he developed working in one of the most successful clubs in the world in the past few years, are the main reasons leading us to present him our ambitious challenge.”