Chelsea news: Blues rocked as Michael Emenalo quits Stamford Bridge

Emenalo was a close aid to owner Roman Abramovich and worked at the club for 10 years.

But the Nigerian has decided to leave Stamford Bridge after talk of growing uncertainty at the club.

“This has been a very difficult decision to make, but one I believe is right for both myself and my family, and the club,” Emenalo said.

“I have had the privilege to work alongside some of the most talented people in the world of sport over the past 10 years, and I will depart incredibly proud of the achievements we have made.

“I wish Chelsea every success and look forward to following the club’s future triumphs from afar.”

Emenalo sat in his usual place behind the Chelsea dugout in yesterday’s 1-0 win over Manchester United.

But the 52-year-old has surprisingly decided to exit from one of the biggest jobs in club football and it comes just a week after owner Abramovich visited Chelsea’s training ground with Conte's position in question.

He is understood to be highly thought of by Abramovich, having a major say in Chelsea’s transfer business but manager Conte has made clear his displeasure over Chelsea’s dealings in the transfer window and Emenalo's departure could be a boost to the Italian.

Conte said: “I am very sorry to see Michael leave Chelsea, and I would like to thank him for all his help and support since I arrived at this club.

“I have enjoyed working with him very much, we celebrated a Premier League title together in May, and I wish him the very best for the future.”

Emenalo supposedly did not want to involve himself in a power struggle between Conte and director Marina Granovskaia.

Granovskaia said: “We are extremely grateful to Michael for his tireless work over the past 10 years.

“He has played an important role during the most successful period in the club’s history, helping make Chelsea the club it is today.

“We will now be reviewing our management structure, and Michael will be a part of that process as we look ahead.”

The likes of Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois and Cesar Azpilicueta have all arrived in Emenalo’s time while Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku have also joined but then been sold after a lack of opportunities.

Emenalo was always thrust into the limelight when he cited “palpable discord” as the main reason why Jose Mourinho was sacked in December 2015, just months after winning the Premier League.

Emenalo was appointed as technical director in 2011 having been a chief scout and an assistant first-team coach.

He has headed the scouting and academy programs at Chelsea which has brought great success, including four consecutive FA Youth Cups.