Chelsea manager Antonio Conte still has backing of Roman Abramovich, Michael Emenalo reveals: 'He enjoys a lot of respect with the ownership... there should be no worries at all'
- Antonio Conte has been at odds with Chelsea's board over their transfer activity
- Michael Emenalo says Conte is respected by the board and Roman Abramovich
- Former Abramovich aide says there is nothing to suggest Conte faces the sack
Former Chelsea chief Michael Emenalo has lifted the lid on Antonio Conte's relationships at the club to reveal the manager should have 'no worries at all' over his future at Stamford Bridge.
Emenalo quit his role as Chelsea's technical director last month, a position which saw him in direct daily contact with Conte, owner Roman Abramovich and the board.
He witnessed Conte at odds with Chelsea's board over the summer, with the Italian being particularly vocal over the need for new signings to expand his squad - and he has already made similar noises ahead of the January window.
Michael Emenalo has revealed details of Antonio Conte's working relationships at Chelsea
Conte is said to have 'a lot of respect' from owner Roman Abramovich and Chelsea's board
Chelsea's manager has also been plagued by reports in Italy suggesting a return to his homeland.
But Emenalo, a figure who had Abramovich's ear for 10 years at Stamford Bridge, says there is no desire from Chelsea to see Conte leave at all.
'Chelsea are very lucky,' Emenalo told talkSPORT. 'I think in Antonio Conte they have one of the best three coaches in the world.
'He enjoys a lot of respect at the senior level, the board level and the ownership level of the club, so there should be no worries at all.'
Abramovich remains the kingpin at Chelsea, with support from a small board formed of chairman Bruce Buck and directors Marina Granovskaia, Eugene Tenebaum and David Barnard.
Emenalo, who has taken up a new role at Monaco as their sporting director since leaving Chelsea, added: 'I think he (Conte) will be just fine.
Conte oversees Chelsea training on Monday ahead of their clash with Atletico Madrid
'He is surrounded by a lot of competent assistants, those he brought with him and those who were already at the club, and their recent results just show they will keep going on stronger and stronger.'
Conte's family have moved to London this season after living apart from the former Juventus manager in his first season in the Premier League.
In October, he slammed reports that former Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti was set to replace him as Chelsea manager as 'bulls***'.
Most watched Sport videos
- BIZARRE moment Ryan Garcia sings to an ORANGUTAN in his car
- Leverkusen and Atalanta enter the pitch in Europa League final
- Moment Mookie Betts hits ball into 8-year-old boy's eye
- Baseball player surprises grandpa with signed first home run ball
- Toni Kroos seen in Real Madrid promo before retirement announcement
- Rory McIlroy interviewed by CBS Golf's Amanda Balionis
- Cops arrest Austin Maddox for chatting online with underage girls
- Tottenham Hotspur football team stars greet fans in Australia
- CJ Stroud plays catch as he helps clean up Houston after storm
- Emma Raducanu speaks on injuries and resilience in HSBC ad
- Arsenal fan squirts sauce on knocked-out Everton supporter
- Jamie O'Hara shares 'really famous soccer player' to his date on show