Michael Emenalo, the new director of football at the Saudi Pro League, says his remit is to take the competition and performances on the pitch “to a different level”.
On Tuesday, the league announced a strategic plan to continue to attract lead international footballers, nurture young talent and improve club governance.
As part of the initiative, Emenalo has been appointed to head up the new Player Acquisition Centre of Excellence (Pace), which aims to provide a centralised approach to transfers.
The league said Pace will help provide all top-flight clubs the “best possible expertise and governance to ensure a dynamic, young, yet sustainable future”.
Emenalo, best known for his work as technical director with Premier League side Chelsea from 2011-2017, will also assist with “squad mapping”, where all 18 of the Saudi Arabian top-tier clubs are already actively working with the former Nigerian international regarding international transfers.
The Saudi Pro League has this summer embarked on an aggressive recruitment drive, with high-profile players such as Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Roberto Firmino, Ruben Neves and Marcelo Brozovic joining Cristiano Ronaldo in the kingdom.
“The idea is to make this league one of the best in the world, and to do that, you want the best players,” Emenalo said in an interview with the Saudi Pro League released on Wednesday.
“Right now, we're throwing out our nets as wide and as far as they can go, to make sure that we bring the best talent in the league.
“I can understand the sensibilities to something that is so new and so audacious in its ambition. I can understand that it creates some doubt in some people's mind.
“Footballers are not completely ignorant of what the industry is about. They recognise when something is happening and you have to have conversations with them … explain to them what the league is about.
“So, if a lot of them are making this decision, it's not necessarily because of the economic side of the opportunity.
“It is also because they recognise that this is going to be something that defines their legacy and that they have an opportunity to contribute to something special – and that's what every footballer is looking for.
“They're looking for a great competition and an opportunity to do something exceptional and special. And I think the league offers them that. This is why there is a spectacular interest from all around the world, and from players to join our league.”
The new strategy, which includes offering a more obvious pathway for young Saudi players within the league’s clubs, follow the Sports Clubs Investment and Privatisation Project launched last month by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Aligned with the kingdom’s Vision 2030 and with a particular focus on football, one of the project’s primary objectives is to position the Saudi Pro League as one of the top 10 football leagues in the world.
As part of the privatisation purpose, the kingdom's Public Investment Fund acquired a 75 per cent stake in Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli – the league’s four lead clubs.
Speaking of the league’s new strategic plan, Emenalo said: “It is not a spur-of-the-moment decision; it is well thought out. I'm impressed with the knowledge and the input that's gone into this, and I think it’s a boost for our industry as a whole.
“What Saudi football is doing, is no different from what the Premier League have done. There was a time when it was all about Italy; there was a time when it was all about Spain.
Saudi Pro League top signings so far
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Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr): The transfer that started it all. The Portuguese superstar moved to the Saudi Pro League in January after his acrimonious exit from Manchester United. Ronaldo scored 14 goals in his first 16 Saudi Pro League games. AFP -
Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad): The first statement signing of the summer transfer window, Ballon d'Or holder Benzema joined the Saudi champions after agreeing an exit from Real Madrid. The French striker was welcomed with a fittingly grand ceremony. Reuters -
N'Golo Kante (Al Ittihad): The French midfielder soon followed Benzema to Ittihad once his Chelsea contract expired. Kante, a two-time Premier League winner and World Cup champion, adds further glamour to the Saudi Pro League. AFP -
Ruben Neves (Al Hilal): By far the most expensive player in Saudi Pro League history. While Ronaldo and Benzema are the bigger global names, both arrived on free transfers. Portuguese midfielder Neves shattered the transfer record by moving to Hilal from Wolves for £47 million. AP -
Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal): After completing the record-breaking move for Neves, Hilal turned their attention to Koulibaly, recruiting the Senegalese centre-back for £20m. Despite a difficult season at Chelsea, Koulibaly has been one of the standout defenders of his generation. AFP -
Edouard Mendy (Al Ahli): Before his long-term shoulder injury, Mendy was one of the best goalkeepers in the world, winning the Champions League with Chelsea and Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal. His £16m move to Ahli can help revive his career. AFP -
Jota (Al Ittihad): The Saudi champions are making major moves this summer, and the £25m acquisition of Portuguese winger Jota boosts an attack led by Benzema. PA -
Marcelo Brozovic (Al Nassr): Arriving to provide support to Ronaldo at Nassr, Croatian midfielder Brozovic joined the Saudi club for £15m after another impressive season for Champions League finalists Inter Milan. AFP -
Steven Gerrard (Al Ettifaq): Major arrivals are not only happening on the pitch but in the dugout. Former Rangers and Aston Villa manager Gerrard was appointed by Ettifaq and will aim to revive his career in Saudi. AFP -
Roberto Firmino (Al Ahli): The former Liverpool forward left Anfield after eight successful seasons to lead the attack at Ahli. @ALAHLI_FC / Twitter -
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Al Hilal): Arguably the most eye-catching deal of the summer. The 28-year-old Serbia midfielder has frequently been linked with Europe's biggest clubs but has opted to join Hilal in a €40m deal. His midfield partnership with Ruben Neves would be the envy of many European teams. Reuters -
Jordan Henderson (Al Ettifaq): The former Liverpool captain is expected to wear the armband following his move from the Premier League giants. The midfielder departed Anfield after 12 years, seven major trophies and 492 appearances. Reuters -
Alex Telles (Al Nassr): The Brazilian defender linked up with former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr this summer. Telles spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Sevilla, helping the Spanish club win the Europa League. He joined Nassr for a reported fee of £4 million. Getty -
Riyad Mahrez (Al Ahli) - Algerian winger Mahrez left Manchester City after five years at the Etihad Stadium in which he won 11 major trophies. In all, he made 236 appearances, scoring 78 goals. Reuters -
Allan Saint-Maximin (Al Ahli): The French winger signed for Jeddah giants Al Ahli on a three-year contract after confirming his departure from Newcastle. During his four years on Tyneside, Saint-Maximin scored 13 goals in 124 appearances. AFP -
Fabinho (Al Ittihad): An integral part of a Liverpool squad that won the Champions League and Premier League in successive seasons following his move from Monaco in 2019. Capped 29 times for his country, the Brazilian midfielder joined the Saudi Pro League champions on a three-year contract. AP -
Sadio Mane (Al Nassr): After six highly successful years at Liverpool, in which he won the Premier League and Uefa Champions League titles, Mane endured a frustrating season at Bayern Munich, though he contributed to their title success. The Senegalese, 31, will be part of a fearsome attacking line up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Nassr. Getty -
Malcom (Al Hilal): Not content with breaking the Saudi Pro League transfer record once, Al Hilal did so twice this summer and made Brazilian winger Malcom the most expensive player in Saudi football history. AFP -
Seko Fofana (Al Nassr): A player in demand this summer after a superb season to help Lens run PSG close in Ligue 1, the Ivory Coast midfielder opted to link up with Ronaldo at Al Nassr over moves elsewhere in Europe. AC Milan had been strongly linked. AFP -
Franck Kessie (Al Ahli): The Ivory Coast midfielder's time at Barcelona may not have worked out but he remains a top-level operator and adds more quality and star power to Al Ahli. Getty -
Moussa Dembele (Al Ettifaq): A shrewd free transfer by Gerrard's Al Ettifaq, the French striker has moved to the Saudi Pro League side on a four-year deal and should provide the goals. AFP -
Neymar (Al Hilal). The Brazilian completed his move from PSG and is one of the biggest stars in the ever-expanding Saudi Pro League. He was unveiled in front of thousands of fans in Riyadh on Saturday. Getty -
Yannick Carrasco (Al Shabab). After 265 appearances across two spells at Atletico Madrid, the Belgian winger joined the Riyadh club for a reported fee of €15 million. Carrasco also spent two years in the Chinese Super League. EPA -
Georginio Wijnaldum (Al Ettifaq): The Dutch midfielder enhanced the Liverpool connection at Ettifaq, joining former teammate Jordan Henderson at the Damman club coached by Reds legend Steven Gerrard. Wijnaldum, 32, has signed a three-year contract. Reuters -
Gabri Veiga (Al Ahli): Widely regarded as one of the best midfield prospects in Spain, 21-year-old Veiga signed for Ahli on a three-year deal from Celta Vigo despite interest from Liverpool and Napoli. Veiga said he opted for the Saudi Pro League to "grow the game" in the kingdom. EPA -
Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr): A vital part of Manchester City's squad that clinched a treble of league, cup and Uefa Champions League in 2023, the Spaniard switched to Nassr over the summer to link up with Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. A fee of £23.6 million makes the 29-year-old the league's most expensive defender. Getty Images -
Otavio (Al Nassr): The Portugal midfielder scored 31 goals in 283 games in all competitions for Porto after joining the team in 2014. He linked up with Riyadh-based club after Porto accepted a bid of around $65 million. AFP -
Merih Demiral: (Al Ahli): The imposing Turkey centre-back boasts Sporting of Lisbon and Juventus among his previous clubs and stood out in Serie A across two seasons at Atalanta. The 25-year-old joined Ahli on a three-year contract. Getty
“What we're looking for in the industry is, is an opportunity to compete, and to compete on an even scale and to improve upon whatever exists in the industry.
“I think the Saudi League offers a new opportunity first and foremost for the entire industry, and I think it will create avenues for good competition and for more development young talent.
“The world can’t have enough of good footballers; the world can’t have enough of good football; the world can't have enough competition between rival clubs, between countries, between rival leagues.
“That’s the attraction and that’s the ambition behind this wonderful project.”
On working in collaboration with Saudi Pro League clubs, Emenalo said: “When you come into these roles you have to have the humility to understand that some of these clubs have been around for a very long time and they’ve done well. They’ve won titles and developed on their way.
“But, like I said, this has been in the pipeline for a while and there has been a strategic plan to make the league a better league.
“I’ve always believed the main product is not the players. The main product of football is the quality of the performance on the pitch. So, the strategic plan is to take the league and the performances on the pitch to a different level. That’s where I come in.
“For that to happen, there are some basic essentials: good structural organisational hygiene, good recruitment, sensible budget planning, good training and performance on match days. And this is what I hope to help the clubs achieve.”
