Monchi's intriguing next club choice revealed as third-tier side after sudden Aston Villa exit
It was announced that Aston Villa president of football operations Monchi had departed the club earlier this week
In the midst of a tumultuous few months for Aston Villa on and off the pitch, things took another significant turn earlier this week when it was announced that president of football operations Monchi has departed the club.
A significant figure within the running of the club and often Unai Emery’s right-hand man in off-field matters, Monchi departed after just over two years at Villa and some significant success enjoyed in that time.
Qualification for the Champions League for the first time since 1983 was achieved during his tenure, as the Villans went on to reach the quarter-finals and came devastatingly close to qualifying once again on the final day of the Premier League season.
But recent signings have not quite lived up to the billing as of yet and after a difficult summer tainted by PSR concerns, a fine by UEFA and difficulties buying or selling players effectively, the 57-year-old decided now was the right time to step aside and leave his role at the club. The Birmingham weather was even speculated as a bizarre reason for his departure.
Roberto Olabe has since been announced as his replacement at Villa Park, having enjoyed admirable success with Real Sociedad and brought through some talented young players.
Monchi next step back in his native Spain revealed
Following his exit from Aston Villa, Monchi is set to return to his native Spain and focus his time on a role at hometown club CD San Fernando 1940, as relayed by Sport Witness.
The club were reformed this summer after the dissolution of former club San Fernando CD, with Monchi at the head of a new consortium which effectively ‘rescued [the club] from oblivion’ according to the report.
This is the second reformation of Monchi’s local San Fernando club in less than 20 years. The original club was founded in 1940 and spent a decade in the second tier of Spanish football mid-way through the 20th century before dissolving due to financial difficulties in 2009. Its first phoenix club reached the third tier before ultimately going under this year.
Now, Monchi is set to invest his full focus into inspiring a rise up the football pyramid for his hometown club once again. They start in the third tier of the regional Andalusian football association, Tercera Andaluza, the ninth tier of Spanish football overall. It will, therefore, be a major project to get the club back to where Monchi will feel it belongs. But it appears that he is excited for the challenge.
‘Motivation for the rest of my life’ - Monchi speaks about his decision
In an interview with Cadena SER in Spain, relayed by Sport Witness, Monchi spoke of his pride at returning to San Fernando and his decision in devoting all his time to the club.
Monchi said: “It’s a solution. I’m a person who’s been non-stop for 38 years. Yesterday was my first day unemployed. San Fernando is a motivation for the rest of my life. This summer I have become very involved with my city. To do this, to create the club, I have had the help of the city of San Fernando. I have been lucky enough to surround myself with a magnificent group of teammates.
“To burn that adrenaline I have on a day-to-day basis, I needed this. If I had designed a script then it would have been this. My only illusion, my only obsession, my only motivation, my only dedication, is the San Fernando sports club. I want to devote all the time possible to the club.
“From the first day this project must go parallel to the category in which it is and respond to the illusion that has been created in the city. I would find it disrespectful, not 100% involved in the project.”