Emenalo replaces Wilkins at Chelsea

Chelsea have appointed Nigerian Michael Emenalo to the position of assistant first-team coach, replacing the sacked Ray Wilkins.

Emenalo, 45, has been with the club since October 2007 in the role of chief opposition scout, with a statement from the club announcing he had been awarded the position in ‘recognition of his efforts to date’.

He represented Nigeria at the 1994 World Cup in the USA, earning 14 caps for his country. He also played for Notts County and Maccabi Tel Aviv during a 15-year playing career that ended in 2000.

“Michael will continue to oversee the first-team scouting operation as he makes the transition to coaching,” the club statement said.

“He will split the initial period between assisting first-team coach Carlo Ancelotti and updating his coaching qualifications as he takes on this bigger and more influential role.”

He takes over from 54-year-old Wilkins amid speculation the Englishman was sacked after a boardroom rift with Chelsea’s billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.