Chelsea line up Marina Granovskaia to replace Michael Emenalo

Technical director Emenalo quit on Monday after 10 years but Express Sport understands that he may not now be replaced.

Director Granovskaia was in charge of transfer negotiations at Stamford Bridge anyway and one option now being considered is that she takes over some of Emenalo’s responsibilities such as identifying players and starting their recruitment process.

Other elements of his job, which included scouting and dealing with loan players, could possibly be delegated to other staff at the club, or someone brought in from outside to help, but unlike Emenalo, reporting directly to her.

No final decision has yet been made on how the new structure at the club will work, with some suggestions that Hull manager and former Russia boss Leonid Slutsky, who is close to Abramovich, could be brought in to replace Emenalo.

It is understood that Granovskaia is taking on some of Emenalo’s duties for the time being and that could become a permanent arrangement.

The businesswoman was responsible for negotiating Chelsea’s sponsorship deal with Nike, funding the club a reported £60m per year until 2032.