Source: TheGuardian
Michael Emenalo: ‘The narrative that white is good has to change’
The former Nigeria international helped steer Chelsea to great success but despite his pioneering efforts there remains a glaring absence of black directors of football in the Premier League“One of the reasons I stayed discreet during my time at Chelsea was because I was in a unique situation,” Michael Emenalo says on a grey summer morning as he reflects on his work as the only long-standing black technical director in Premier League history. “I had to choose whether I would let my activism be a distraction or allow my presence to be an inspiration. Some people were waiting for me to become an activist so that was very difficult for me.”Twenty-eight years have passed since the world’s richest league emerged and only Emenalo and, briefly, Les Ferdinand have breached the citadel of white privilege and power. Ferdinand, QPR’s director of football, was appointed in February 2015, with the club already doomed to relegation three months later. Related: Frank Lampard says VAR is favouring semi-final rivals Manchester United When I was appointed [as technical director] some journalists didn’t think I spoke English Continue reading......read full article
