Former Super Eagles defender Michael Emenalo says he is leaving the Saudi Pro League on a solid foundation after stepping down as the league's first Director of Football following a successful three-year tenure.
Emenalo, who was appointed to the role in 2023, oversaw one of the most transformative periods in Saudi football, helping to attract some of the biggest names in world football while significantly enhancing the league's global profile.
His departure was officially confirmed on Wednesday, bringing to an end a spell during which he played a pivotal role in establishing the structures and strategic direction behind the Saudi Pro League's rapid rise.
Reflecting on his time in the Kingdom, the 60-year-old described laying a sustainable foundation for the league's long-term growth as his proudest achievement.
"When I joined the SPL's transformation journey in 2023, what struck me most was the audacity of its ambition. We set out to do something few believed possible, on a timeline fewer still thought realistic," Emenalo told The Athletic.
"During the period since, we have introduced and stewarded the standards and frameworks needed to pursue this audacious ambition seriously.
"This foundation is, to me, the achievement that matters most. There is, of course, still work to be done to develop the league and to grow football across Saudi Arabia; no undertaking of this scale is ever truly finished. But I believe I leave our league on a strong footing, well positioned for continued success."
