Who is Roberto Olabe? Profile, age, transfers, career path and more

Aston Villa have been on the lookout for a new president of football operations, following some changes in the hierarchy.

Monchi is set to leave Aston Villa, with the move set to create some further switches in the club’s overall direction.

One of those linked with a move is Roberto Olabe, who is available following his stint at Real Sociedad as sporting director.

But exactly who is the Spaniard, and what is his football background like? Here’s everything you need to know about the man who could join Aston Villa.

Roberto Olabe’s age

Roberto Olabe was born on October 20, 1967, which makes him 57 years old at the time of writing.

While he has spent recent years as a club official, he did have a career as a footballer earlier in his life.

What is Roberto Olabe’s nationality

Roberto Olabe was born in Vitoria, part of the Basque Country in northern Spain.

Olabe didn’t go on to represent either the Spanish national team or the Basque Country in international football.

During his playing days, Roberto Olabe was a goalkeeper who played for several Spanish clubs.

He made his first senior appearance for Ibiza during the 1989/90 season, before moving on to join Mirandes.

While there, Olabe made 57 appearances from 1990 until 1991.

A move to Alaves followed, but the five-foot-nine-inch goalkeeper didn’t play a single game, before moving to Salamanca.

While in the Segunda Division, he made over 100 appearances in a three-year spell.

A move to Real Sociedad followed, where he made his top-flight debut in Spain in 1995.

He was only handed two league appearances before retiring in 1999.

What is Roberto Olabe’s managerial record

After retiring from his playing career as a footballer, Roberto Olabe quickly made his way into coaching and management.

From 1999 until 2001, he was in charge of Real Sociedad’s youth team, before he moved into the senior team in 2002.

While he helped the club avoid relegation that season, he was dismissed after a lack of licensing for him and his coaching staff.

Olabe then had short stints with Eibar, Almeria and Real Union, with the latest lasting until 2012.

The 57-year-old has often only worked in short-term capacities for those roles, and has preferred to be a director.

Roberto Olabe’s record as a director and transfers

Roberto Olabe took on the responsibility of becoming Real Sociedad’s director of football in March 2018, replacing the outgoing Loren.

In that time, the Spanish club have been a regular feature in European competitions and among the top sides in La Liga.

Some memorable transfers of his include the likes of Alexander Isak, Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard, who have all become Premier League stars.

Who is Roberto Olabe’s son

Interestingly, Roberto Olabe has a son, also called Roberto, who has gone on to become a professional footballer.

The 29-year-old winger had spells in the academies of Real Sociedad, Villarreal and Atletico Madrid before he took to senior football.

Time spent at Eibar, Alcorcon, Deportivo La Coruna and Ibiza have followed, while he recently moved to Turan Tovuz in Azerbaijan.

Arsenal were linked with Roberto Olabe move

Rewind back to late 2024, and Arsenal were on the lookout for a new sporting director, following Edu Gaspar’s resignation.

The Gunners were looking at which options could suit them.

Roberto Olabe was on Arsenal’s shortlist as an option to replace Edu, but in the end, they opted for Andrea Berta.

Roberto Olabe to Aston Villa move

Monchi’s exit from Aston Villa came during a period of difficulty for the club, after a poor start to the 2025/26 season.

Question marks remained over the transfer strategy, as the team struggled to find goals and wins.

Following that, Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Roberto Olabe, with an agreement reached over a move.

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