With Monchi’s appointment as President of Business Operations now confirmed, Aston Villa will have a busy few weeks ahead both on and off the pitch.
While we moved early to secure our first summer signing with Youri Tielemans set to join us on July 1, it has been expectedly quiet in the immediate aftermath of last season, with players on holiday and most clubs assessing their options heading into the heart of the summer.
READ MORE: Tielemans on what convinced him to join Villa, Emery role in move
For Villa though, it was felt as though our search for a sporting director-type figure would take precedence before we would begin the bulk of our work in strengthening the squad, and finally we’ve got our man.
Monchi arrives with an excellent reputation and track-record given his success at Sevilla, and having worked with Emery during their spell together at the club, the pair will know each other well and will hopefully form the dream team to now take us to another level.
As per the club’s statement to confirm Monchi’s appointment, the 54-year-old won’t start his new role until July, but there’s little doubt that with his move having been announced, he will be hard at work in the background to ensure he’s ready to hit the ground running as soon as he arrives at Bodymoor Heath.
Villa’s first pre-season game is against Walsall on July 15, and we’ll hopefully have several key topics cleared up by then including the new badge being rolled out on all platforms, our new kit for the 2023/24 campaign being unveiled as well as both incomings and outgoings well underway.
Given the wide-reaching title that Monchi has been given in terms of being the President of Football Operations for V Sports, he will no doubt be a busy man once in position, and he’ll have plenty to do to make his presence and influence felt at Villa.
Emery will have clear ideas and specific areas of his squad where he will want reinforcements, and he’ll have a fairly good idea by now of who won’t feature in his plans moving forward and are deemed surplus to requirements.
Moving those individuals out will be key as it will not only help balance the spending, but it simultaneously clears space in the squad to raise the level with upgrades who will offer improved competition and depth.
Monchi, alongside Director of Football Operations, Damian Vidagany, will be fundamental in that process of helping the Villa boss implement his plan and getting the balance right, and it promises to be a fascinating few weeks as we see it take shape.
Based on both our form under Emery last season as he improved the players at his disposal, and the success of his first signing in Alex Moreno, it’s felt that our transfer work will be specific and well-strategised for every single deal done, and with their combined knowledge, vision and pedigree in building successful squads, there is real anticipation to see that work begin.
