Former Scotland boss backs ex-Chelsea chief Emenalo to be a success at Newcastle if appointed

Published: November 18, 2021

Former Scotland manager Alex McLeish is backing ex-Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo to bring success to Newcastle United if appointed as director of football.

The Magpies are set to appoint a director of football in the coming weeks with the retired Nigeria international reportedly the leading candidate.

Emenalo is believed to be the frontrunner for the job because of his previous success in a similar role at Premier League giants Chelsea.

One of Roman Abramovich's trusted lieutenants during his ten-year association with the Blues, Emenalo oversaw the signings of 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winners Kenneth Omeruo and Victor Moses, and also played a key role in the recruitment of Belgium stars Thibaut Courtois, Kevin de Bruyne, and Eden Hazard.

The respected 56-year-old talent spotter has been out of work since leaving Monaco in 2019.

"Managers used to be able to go watch players, judge them and say we’re bringing him in," McLeish said to Football Insider.

"Now that duty goes to the director of football. Emenalo has got great experience, there’s no doubt about that. I’ve met Michael a couple of times before and he knows his onions.

"Character-wise, he is a very assured guy. He’s very capable in what he’s doing. It’s a good name. He’s a good name in the game, especially that Belgium connection."

In a career spanning more than fifteen years, Emenalo turned out for Molenbeek, Eintracht Trier, Notts County, San Jose Clash and Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com

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