New Aston Villa director of football Monchi has revealed he was “encouraged” by Unai Emery to join the club and he is “happy and grateful” for the opportunity.
He’s been speaking at a farewell press conference today after leaving to join Villa as part of their restructuring this summer.
The Spaniard was confirmed as Aston Villa’s new President of Football Operations a week ago, arriving at the club after agreeing a deal to leave his position at Sevilla.
He had been with the Spanish side since returning as Sporting Director in April 2019, his second spell at the club after a 17-year spell in the job between 2000 and 2017.
The 54-year-old is very much revered at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, hence the press conference today, when the subject of his move to Aston Villa was brought up.
“The personal decision is mine; nobody has told me to leave. I thought it was the fairest thing to do, that I should leave. I understand that the club evolves,” he said.
“I’m going to Aston Villa. My first idea was to go home, to rest, because I’ve been under stress for many years, to rest for a few months, to live a little bit, without the pressure of the day to day.
“But the conditions for leaving were the same. Once the conditions are the same, the option of Aston Villa excited me a lot.
“It is a growing project; it can be important to snatch a place at the top in the Premier and because there is a person who has worked four years at this club and has encouraged me. I am happy and grateful.”
