Aston Villa is expected to appoint Roberto Olabe as Monki’s successor, and the 57-year-old left Real Sociedad earlier this year
Aston Villa is expected to appoint Roberto Olabe as Monki’s successor. The 57-year-old has been in discussion with Villa about breaking up with Real Sociedad earlier this year and taking the reins for the club’s soccer division, and it reportedly has come to terms with consent.
Monki’s departure was revealed Monday night, with an official announcement being expected soon. The Villa braces for his exit and listens to Olabe as their number one choice. Olabe is considered one of Europe’s leading soccer executives and previously worked with Almeria’s Unai Emery.
Alberto Benito, who joined the Villa recruitment team in May 2023, took over from Orabé as Almeria’s sports director.
read more: Aston Villa is being killed by PSR – and they should worry about Unai Emeryread more: How Monki’s exit will affect Unai Emery at Aston Villa
Olabe served as Real Sociedad’s sports director for seven years and played a pivotal role in the club’s development during that period.
Under his stewardship, Sociedaddo won Copa del Rey in 2021, finishing consistently in Laliga’s top six, winning the Champions League in 2023/24, reaching his final 16.
His insight was particularly prominent in the transfer market where Sociedad has gained a reputation for his well-versed trading – he has accumulated players like MartinØdegaard, Mikel Merino, Martín Zubimendi and Alexander Isak in large sums.
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