Aston Villa have announced the appointment of renowned transfer chief Ramon Rodriguez Verdejo ‘Monchi’ as the club’s new President of Football Operations.
Monchi arrives from Europa League champions Sevilla after four years with the La Liga giants, where he developed a reputation as one of the best sporting directors in the world.
The 54-year-old will be reunited with Villa boss Unai Emery after their successful spell at Sevilla that saw Los Nervionenses win consecutive Europa League titles between 2014 and 2016.
Villa have been keen to move in a new direction since Emery arrived. The new leadership structure will see Monchi take responsibility for all footballing matters at the club and report directly to owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.
Former Villa sporting director Johan Lange will become the club’s global director of football development and international academies, while Damian Vidagany has been appointed as the club’s director of football.
Sawiris said: “We are delighted to have Monchi joining us in this new position that consolidates all football responsibilities at the Group.
“Alongside Unai and his staff, Monchi’s arrival will add to the world-class team we are assembling both on and off the pitch. He is, like Unai Emery, a serial winner.
Monchi added: “I am very excited to join Aston Villa, a great project which is striving for excellence from the Under-9s to the top level, and I completely share the vision of Mr Sawiris and Mr Edens.
“I am also delighted and can’t wait to work with Unai Emery again, one of the best managers in football.
“After enjoying so many years with Sevilla FC and winning several European trophies with my life-long club, I look forward to building on the recent successes at Aston Villa and ensuring this colossal club continues to grow and improve.”
Monchi’s appointment comes after Christian Purslow stepped down from his position as Villa’s Chief Executive Officer.
Monchi was the second Spaniard to be linked with taking up a senior role at Villa after their failed pursuit of Barcelona’s sporting director Mateu Alemany.
The 60-year-old had announced his departure from the Catalan giants and was close to joining Villa but made a surprise U-turn and opted to stick with the La Liga champions.