Aston Villa Reach Agreement To Appoint Roberto Olabe As Monchi Replacement

Aston Villa have agreed a deal to appoint Roberto Olabe as their new president of football operations.

The club are expected to make an announcement confirming the hire, after sporting director Monchi left Aston Villa on Monday night.

Olabe, 57, is highly regarded across European football. He left Real Sociedad at the end of last season after overseeing a period of success in player development and recruitment.

Villa had considered Olabe before Monchi’s arrival and now view him as the leading candidate to reshape their football department.

Who is Roberto Olabe?

Olabe is no stranger to English interest. He was previously considered by Arsenal to replace Edu Gaspar before ultimately deciding on Andrea Berta as the optimal candidate.

During his spell at Real Sociedad, he played a key role in shaping squads that developed talents such as Alexander Isak, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard, and Martin Zubimendi.

His influence also extended abroad, helping nurture a golden generation of Ecuadorian players, including Moises Caicedo and Piero Hincapie, while at Independiente del Valle.

Olabe also supported Qatar’s preparations for the 2022 World Cup and maintains close ties with coaches like Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso, and Unai Emery. Real Madrid have also tracked his work.

Why is Monchi leaving Aston Villa?

Monchi’s exit is largely down to personal reasons. The Spaniard is expected to return home but will remain linked to Villa in an advisory capacity through the ownership group V Sports.

Despite his short tenure at Villa Park, Monchi was a significant appointment, having built a stellar reputation during multiple stints at Sevilla.

His decision to step aside leaves Villa needing stability at a point in the season where they are struggling on the pitch.

Unai Emery’s connection to Olabe

Villa head coach Unai Emery shares a history with Olabe, with the pair having played together at Real Sociedad in the mid-1990s.

While they have not officially worked together since, their longstanding mutual respect could help smooth the transition.

Villa fans will hope the appointment provides clarity after a difficult start to the season.

Emery’s side are still winless in the Premier League after five matches, and financial pressures around profit and sustainability rules remain an ongoing concern.