Villa Appoint Roberto Olabe as Monchi Steps Down from Football Operations

Well, it’s all change behind the scenes at B6. Monchi, a visible part of Emery’s backroom setup that steered us into Europe and some of the biggest nights in recent memory, has stepped down as President of Football Operations. In comes Roberto Olabe – a name that might not ring bells for most Villans, but one that carries serious pedigree from his time at Real Sociedad.

Let’s be honest, the timing’s no coincidence. We’re winless in five, sitting 18th, and recently got dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Brentford on penalties. Something had to give, and Monchi’s exit feels like the first domino.

Still, credit where it’s due – Monchi played his role in a setup that has taken us from mid-table mediocrity to Champions League quarter-finalists quicker than anyone could have expected. PSG ultimately knocked us out, but we went toe-to-toe with the eventual winners. Under his watch, we saw the likes of Tielemans and Rogers arrive, and even if some signings didn’t hit, the ambition was clear.

But recruitment’s been patchy. The summer transfer window was a slog, with Emery likely frustrated as deals dragged. Sancho and Elliott came in late on loan, Lindelof arrived for free, and we had to flog Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle just to stay on the right side of UEFA’s financial rules. PSR’s been a nightmare – we’ve got owners with deep pockets but can’t spend freely. It’s like trying to build a mansion with a shed budget.

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Enter Olabe. Emery had a hand in bringing him in, and the two go way back – both Basque lads, both with ties to Real Union. Olabe’s got a decent track record: helped Sociedad win their first trophy in over three decades, brought in Isak (sold for £63m), and developed Zubimendi and Merino. He even loaned Odegaard before Arsenal snapped him up.

We’ll be hoping Olabe’s eye for talent can help us rebuild smartly, not just splash cash. Emery’s still very much in charge, and his influence on this appointment shows he’s not going anywhere.

So, while Monchi moves into an advisory role, Olabe takes the reins. It’s a fresh start – and let’s hope it’s the spark we need to turn this season around. Because right now, the good vibes from beating PSG feel like a lifetime ago.

UTV.