Michael Emenalo quits Chelsea in huge blow for Roman Abramovich

Michael Emenalo has stood down as Chelsea technical director, reports the Daily Telegraph.

With speculation raging over the future of head coach Antonio Conte, Emenalo has decided to bring his 10-year association with the club to an end.

The move could be viewed as a victory for Conte but Emenalo has remained supportive of the Italian who he helped to appoint last year.

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.

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In the past decade, Chelsea have won the Premier League title three times, the FA Cup, the League Cup, the Europa League and the Champions League.

Conte is the 10th manager Emenalo has worked with. He 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.

He was promoted to technical director in 2011 and was responsible for player recruitment and Chelsea’s vast youth network.

Emenalo has often been blamed for signings that have not worked out and the number of youngsters sent away on loan, but he has also enjoyed great success in his job.

Eden Hazard is one of his most successful signings but Emenalo has also been responsible for the likes of Thibaut Courtois, Cesar Azpilicueta, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku joining Chelsea.

Conte said: “I am very sorry to see Michael leave Chelsea, and I would like to thank him for all his help and support since I arrived at this club. I have enjoyed working with him very much, we celebrated a Premier League title together in May, and I wish him the very best for the future.”