Fakayejo Paul
BIRMINGHAM, England – Aston Villa has officially announced the departure of President of Football Operations Monchi, who leaves the club with immediate effect.
The decision marks the end of the Spaniard’s tenure at Villa Park after just over two years in the role.
According to a club statement, Monchi will continue to serve as an advisor to V Sports, the parent company of Aston Villa, but his day-to-day involvement with the club has ceased.
Roberto Olabe, a former sporting director at Real Sociedad, has been appointed as his successor.
The move comes at a tumultuous time for Aston Villa, who are currently winless in their first five Premier League fixtures and sit in the relegation zone.
The club was also recently knocked out of the Carabao Cup.
While the precise reasons for his departure have not been fully disclosed, the team’s poor start to the season and fan scrutiny over recent transfer business are widely believed to have played a role.
Monchi, a well-respected figure in the football world for his work at Sevilla and AS Roma, joined Aston Villa in 2023, reuniting with manager Unai Emery.
The pair had previously worked together to great success at Sevilla, and their collaboration at Villa was expected to yield similar results.
While they did help the club secure Champions League football and reach the quarter-finals last season, the current campaign has seen a stark reversal of fortunes.
In a statement, Monchi thanked the club’s staff, players, and ownership for their support. His departure is seen as a significant shake-up and a clear sign that the club’s hierarchy is determined to turn the season around.