Aston Villa have appointed Roberto Olabe as president of football operations to replace Monchi.
News that the head coach Unai Emery’s trusted lieutenant Monchi would be leaving the club emerged on Monday evening and Villa confirmed his replacement 24 hours later.
Olabe, 57, who left Real Sociedad at the end of last season, is the man who has been chosen to replace him and already knows Emery from their time together at Almeria. The pair also spent a season playing together at Real Sociedad.
Villa had been preparing for Monchi’s exit and identified Olabe, who is one of the most highly regarded sporting directors in Europe, as his successor.
Monchi, left, joined Villa in 2023 and his hit rate with signings has not been great
