Read What Emenalo Said About The Coming Transfer Window And Many More On The SPL
Written By Jacobs Dunga
The technical director of the league was interviewed and spoke about a few topics regarding the league.
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Michael Emenalo is just four months into his appointment as the technical director of the Saudi Pro League but already boasts of remarkable achievements.
Bar Ronaldo, the former Chelsea director has overseen the influx of several footballing heavyweights who’re now playing their trade in the league.
Asked about his role and assessment of the job so far, he said: “Simply put, my role is, first and foremost, to help attract interest into the league locally and globally. It is also to help the process of bringing into the league quality players and staff to help elevate the standard of the league”
On the progress till date: “We’re all very excited. From what we’ve seen so far, it’s not perfect, and our ambition is to always reach for perfection. At this point, it’s very clear that there are things that need to be fixed. But we’re all very encouraged by the progress that’s been made so far.”
He talked about his first transfer in charge and gave a fulfilled assessment of the exercise.
“Well, again, I think we accomplished what we wanted to accomplish, which was to get our foot into the market and compete aggressively. But, also, we wanted to do that while giving every single club in the league an opportunity to improve. I believe we accomplished that.”
In less than half a season in charge, the Nigerian has already helped improve the quality of the Pro League with top players now performing week in week out on Saudi Arabian soils.
Meanwhile…
Emenalo also doubles as the head of Player Acquisition Center of Excellence (PACE) and asked the measures considered before making a high profile signing, the administrator went further in explanations.
“The metrics are simple: it is that the players have a background or history of high performance; that they could be acquired at a reasonable price; that they fit the model or the requirements of the acquiring club; and, last but not least, that they are individuals that we believe will not only come in and bring a great competency on the pitch, but who will also bring the desire to lead in positive and educational ways for youngsters in Saudi Arabia.”
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The 58 year old then hinted there would potentially be less spending in the coming window compared to the summer spending spree.
“Well, I’m hoping it’s not very busy, because I think the job that was done has been quite interesting and aggressive, and most of the clubs, I believe, have what they need. And hopefully the attention will now turn to work within the training facilities to improve these players and to allow the time to adapt and perform.”
On the vision for the league and what needs to be done to have it reach the set standards.
“Well, the SPL vision is all about raising standards; we want to improve standards in everything that surrounds the league and the clubs that it governs. That means that we have to improve governance; we have to improve our public relations; we have to improve commercially; we have to improve our outreach to our fans.”
“Of course, we have to improve performances on the pitch, the academies; we have to raise standards of training and development of young players coming through. We want the medical establishment that looks after the players to be of the highest standard; we want to improve welfare for staff and players that are working in the kingdom and for these clubs.”
“It’s just about making sure the league is at the highest standard we can possibly be. I think a better word to use is, I would want to make sure that professionally we are competing against and with the best.”
On what to do to attract more world class athletes: “As I’ve said in previous interviews, world-class players and good players around the world are interested in an ambition more than anything else. They want to see who is trying to go for the highest possible goal – and that’s what really trying to offer them.”
“We’re trying to offer a league that has incredible ambition, that wants to entertain, that wants to have a global outreach to everyone in the world that wants to improve the quality of their lives, but also extend their careers. And I think those are selling points.”
He then spoke on how to balance the sim to attract world stars with the demand to promote local talents.
“I think there was a time when this was a very simple debate, and all everyone wanted to do was limit the number of foreign players to improve local players. And I think we’ve seen that this doesn’t necessarily work.”
“We’ve seen in places like England: that sudden infusion of world-class players in the league has led to the development of local, world-class players, and I think that’s what is going to happen here.
But you have to grow these players, and when you use the word “grow” or “develop”, it means you have to look at the academies, you have to look at the younger ages.”
“That’s where the development of the process starts.
And we want to provide them with an environment – a well-tended development environment – that will allow them to pursue the ambition while they are looking across and competing with some of the best players in the world. So that, by the time they get to the level where they are set free, they’re ready to be the stars like the guys who have come in at the moment.”
Interview was culled from the official Roshn Saudi League website.
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