Why Monchi really left Aston Villa and Unai Emery's thoughts on Roberto Olabe revealed

TBR Football understands that Unai Emery is delighted with the possible appointment of Roberto Olabe as Aston Villa’s new sporting director.

Monchi is set to leave Villa following a two-year stint as the club’s president of football operations, which has yielded promising results.

The Spaniard, alongside Unai Emery, played a key role in helping Villa return to playing Champions League football.

But now, the former Sevilla and Roma director is leaving Villa Park and Olabe is set to be the man who replaces him.

Sources: Aston Villa have been working on Roberto Olabe for ‘several weeks’

Aston Villa have been working on the appointment of Roberto Olabe for ‘several weeks’ and Monchi has been helping in that process, sources have told TBR Football’s chief correspondent, Graeme Bailey.

Arsenal were linked with Olabe when attempting to replace Edu Gaspar, but the former Real Sociedad man is now heading to the Midlands.

Bailey told TBR Football: “Sources have confirmed that Aston Villa have been working on Roberto Olabe for several weeks, and I am told that Monchi played some part in identifying his successor.”

Monchi is believed to be leaving the Premier League on good terms, and his decision has nothing to do with recent results.

“There has not been a huge fallout with Monchi; he remains on good terms with the club and the owners, evidenced by this,” added Bailey.

“Monchi’s reasoning for leaving is being put down to ‘personal reasons’, but he has made it clear that he was hugely happy with Villa and believed in the project, and still does.

“I am told that Unai Emery is delighted to have landed Olabe, who was in contention to replace Edu at Arsenal before they went with Andrea Berta.

“This is a high-quality appointment by Villa and one which is going to see a smooth transition from Monchi. It shows Villa still mean business off the pitch.”

Monchi’s best signings at Aston Villa

Monchi made some excellent signings during his time at Villa Park, who played key roles in helping Villa return to Europe.

Villa signing Rogers for £8m from Middlesbrough in February 2024 was undoubtedly his best signing as president.

Rogers is now valued at £100m by Villa and is being chased by many top Premier League clubs, including Chelsea and Tottenham.

Click here to read article