Aston Villa chief Monchi expected to depart club | OneFootball

Aston Villa’s president of football operations, Monchi, is reportedly preparing to step down, according to information from The Athletic.

Villa have endured a poor beginning to their league campaign under manager Unai Emery. They have managed only one goal in five matches.

The side have lost three games and drawn two, collecting just three points in total. That form leaves them 18th in the table.

Monchi’s career and time at Villa

Their struggles have not been limited to the league. Villa have also suffered elimination from the League Cup at an early stage.

Monchi, once a goalkeeper, spent his entire playing career at Sevilla before retiring in 1999. He immediately joined the backroom staff as sporting director after the club’s relegation.

During his 17 years in that role, he played a huge part in Sevilla’s rise. They returned to La Liga and later established themselves in European competitions.

Under his guidance, Sevilla lifted eight trophies, including three successive Europa League titles in 2014, 2015, and 2016.

In 2017, Monchi left for Italy to become sporting director at Roma. He signed a four-year deal but departed less than two years later.

By April 2019, he had returned to Sevilla and oversaw further success, with two more Europa League wins before stepping down again in June 2023.

That summer, Villa brought him in at the request of Emery to take charge of player recruitment. His influence helped the club reach new heights in his first campaign.

Villa secured a fourth-place finish in the 2023–24 season, which earned them a Champions League place. It was one of their most successful years in recent memory.

Uncertain future at Villa Park

Monchi’s exit would mark another change at Villa Park at a time when the team are struggling for stability.

The Spaniard has played a central role in recruitment since his arrival, shaping the squad for Emery’s plans.

However, with results failing to match expectations this season, his position now appears under threat.

For Villa, the challenge is to recover both in the league and off the pitch if they are to build on last season’s progress.