Former Chelsea manager Emenalo
Transfer payments amounting to around 957 million euros for Neymar (31) and Co. and even higher salaries for many new football stars: the Saudi Pro League really messed up the transfer process this summer and not only received attention from football Europe, but also a lot of incomprehension and receive criticism. Michael Emenalo, a long-time manager at Chelsea FC and AS Monaco, has been responsible for the sporting development of the Saudi football upper house since the summer. In the Interview with “TZ” the 58-year-old Nigerian responded to the critical voices and spoke about the plans of the clubs around Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr.
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“I don’t think anyone needs to fear the Saudi Pro League or its members. In fact, I think that if you’re a football fan, you should celebrate the Saudi Pro League. If you’re a member and have an emotional connection to the industry, you should be excited about the Saudi Pro League. Because it is an expansion of the industry, an expansion of opportunities for everyone,” said Emenalo, who, as his job requires, defended the record investments without any real income on the other side.
“I would also like to emphasize that the idea behind the Saudi Pro League is not to threaten anyone with it,” he said. The economic plan behind it is well thought out and the investments “make sense in two respects. On the one hand, the Saudis invest in their people, they give something back to their people, they promote culture and social interaction among themselves. On the other hand, it is also an investment in the future. It is an investment in an industry that is growing and growing, an industry that not long ago was rejected and neglected.”
Emenalo compared the criticism now emerging about the transfers of Neymar, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (28), Sadio Mané (31) and, at the turn of the year, Cristiano Ronaldo with that of clubs like his former club Chelsea, which overall compared to other leagues financially disadvantaged Premier League or even FC Bayern Munich within Germany: “It’s not good to point the finger at others. I can give you so many examples. (…) Smaller clubs are afraid of FC Hollywood. There is always this fixation on money when trying to improve the status quo. In the Premier League, where I spent ten years at Chelsea, there was always the same criticism. And in the end today everyone is happy with what the Premier League is doing.”
The clubs in the English House of Lords would now be expected to pay these expenses, and no one complains about it anymore. Premier League teams spent €2.8 billion on new players this summer, with revenues of €1.53 billion, about three times as much as the second-placed Saudi Pro League. Initially, the investing actors would always be accused of spending too much money “and getting nothing in return. Ours is a very solid and well thought out investment for the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It’s a smart investment in an industry that’s growing exponentially.”
Emenalo can understand that there is fear of changes like the ones the SPL is now bringing about: “Change is always a sensitive topic. Even if you change your room, you panic a little. And there are worries among family members. I can understand that some people are watching what is happening in the Saudi Pro League and feel a little uncomfortable about it.” But there is no reason for that.
Asked about the precarious human rights situation in Saudi Arabia, one of the biggest criticisms of the league’s emergence as a global player in football, Emenalo replied: “The situation has improved and continues to develop. We are experiencing incredible growth and an upswing in all areas. You can look at what is happening with the women’s league, women’s football and the Saudi Arabian women’s national team appearing in the FIFA rankings for the first time. So, like any other country in the world, there is always the opportunity to develop further.”
Emenalo explains transfer system in Saudi Arabia – desired player Salah
Emenalo also discussed how clubs decide on transfers. With Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad, the four largest clubs belong to the sovereign wealth fund “PIF” chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who wants to bring the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia. With the “Player Acquisition Center of Excellence” (PACE), clubs receive amounts depending on their sporting classification. “They also have the opportunity to raise their own funds. Some of the clubs now under the auspices of the Kingdom’s investment fund may raise commercial or ministerial funds to invest a little more in players. “This is progress for all clubs and improvements are expected in all areas, including the creation of capital so that they can invest more in what they want to build – be it in infrastructure or in the acquisition of new players,” led he out.
This central management is intended to avoid failed waves of investments like in the past: “But here too this is a hybrid option in which the clubs have a certain degree of independence. We don’t tell them who and what they should vote for. But we work with them to make sure their money is spent in the right way.”
Summer transfer window with the highest spending in football history
Emenalo also discussed the profile of the players who are interesting for the Saudi Pro League: “They must be able to contribute something unique to the league. You must also have intelligence and respect for the culture and environment. They must be prepared to take a leadership role and be a teacher in the context in which they work. This is the same expectation as in Germany, in England and everywhere else where you want to create a wonderful and flourishing organization.”
As an example – and his personal dream player – he named Mohamed Salah (31), for whom Al-Ittihad is said to have offered a higher sum than the 222 million euros PSG once paid for Neymar. However, Liverpool FC refused. Emenalo: “Mo is welcome at any time. But no one is pressured or forced to come. If anyone would like to come and there is an opportunity to work with the releasing club in a very respectful and professional manner, we would be very happy to have them. But yeah, Mo is my personal favorite.”
About the goals that the Saudi Pro League is pursuing and how long they should be achieved, Emenalo said: “People have talked about five to ten years. Personally, I think it’s best to look day by day, week by week and month by month. But I can tell you that the goal is definitely to achieve a high level of professionalism, commercial influence and creative interest for the game in Saudi Arabia around the world. When that happens – whether in two, five or ten years – it doesn’t matter as long as we concentrate on our work every day and consistently.”
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