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Aston Villa have announced the appointment of Ramón Rodriguez Verdejo ‘MONCHI’ as the Club’s new President of Football Operations.
Monchi joins from Sevilla FC, where he was Director of Football. In his new role, Monchi will report to Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens and have responsibility for all football matters at the Group, working closely with Unai Emery to lead the club.
Born and raised in San Fernando (Spain), Monchi played as a goalkeeper for 10 years at Sevilla FC and started his career as a Sporting Director at the club following his retirement. Under Monchi’s direction, Sevilla FC won the Europa League seven times, the Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup) twice and the European Super Cup. Monchi also joined AS Roma as their Sporting Director in 2017, spending two years with the Italian club and reaching the Champions League semi-final before returning to Sevilla to win two of their seven Europa League titles.
Nassef Sawiris, Chairman of Aston Villa FC said, “We are delighted to have Monchi joining us in this new position that consolidates all football responsibilities at the Group. Alongside Unai and his staff, Monchi´s arrival will add to the world class team we are assembling both on and off the pitch. He is, like Unai Emery, a serial winner. With the appointment of Chris Heck on the business side, this new structure will ensure that the Club is firing on all cylinders on the commercial side in addition to the football side to ensure that the Club’s model is sustainable and positioned well to meet our growing ambitions.”
Monchi said, “I am very excited to join Aston Villa, a great project which is striving for excellence from the Under-9s to the top level, and I completely share the vision of Mr. Sawiris and Mr. Edens. I am also delighted and can’t wait to work with Unai Emery again, one of the best managers in football. After enjoying so many years with Sevilla FC and winning several European trophies with my life-long club, I look forward to building on the recent successes at Aston Villa and ensuring this colossal club continues to grow and improve.”
Johan Lange will assume a key role as Global Director of Football Development and International Academies. This ensures that his deep knowledge of the squad and the academy will provide cohesion and continue our successful player development pipeline.
To complete the new leadership structure, Damian Vidagany will assume the role of Director of Football Operations. He will work alongside Unai Emery to manage the day-to-day football operations, support Monchi in his responsibilities and provide a link between the football organisation and the rest of the Club’s functions. Since joining us in November, Vidagany has been Chief of Staff and Unai’s deputy. He previously worked in senior management positions at Valencia Football Club between 2008 and 2017.
Monchi will assume his duties from July subject to receiving his work permit.
