Monchi leaves Aston Villa as Olabe linked to replacement

Aston Villa’s head of football operations Monchi is set to leave the club after just over two years, with the director’s exit revealed late on Monday and his replacement expected to be appointed within days. The Spaniard, who joined the Midlands club in June 2023, will depart with immediate effect according to several reports, leaving Unai Emery and the board to navigate a fraught start to the 2025-26 season and an unsettled transfer strategy.

Reports say Real Sociedad sporting director Roberto Olabe is the leading candidate to take over Villa’s football department, with internal talks ongoing and some outlets suggesting a formal announcement could follow within 48 hours. Other accounts indicate discussions have been under way for some time and that the club had anticipated the possibility of Monchi’s exit. Neither Aston Villa nor Monchi has issued a formal statement confirming the precise timing or terms of the departure.

Monchi’s two-year spell at Villa included close collaboration with Emery on recruitment and squad construction. He oversaw five transfer windows and delivered signings that drew mixed reviews, from highly regarded young talents to short-term loans. Supporters...