King Exclusive: Emery & Monchi could walk out on Aston Villa after takeover news in Spain
Unai Emery’s Future at Aston Villa in Doubt Amid Monchi Exit Rumours
There is growing speculation surrounding the futures of two of Aston Villa’s most influential football figures – President of Football Operations Monchi and head coach Unai Emery. Recent reports have linked Monchi with a possible departure from the Midlands club, and intriguingly, it’s now being suggested that Emery could also follow him out the door.
Monchi and Emery were reunited at Villa Park in 2023, rekindling a successful professional partnership that began during their time at Sevilla. Together, they have played a key role in revitalizing Aston Villa, guiding the club from mid-table mediocrity to becoming a competitive force in both the Premier League and Europe.
Monchi, known for his eye for talent and strategic acumen, has demonstrated his value once again by reportedly nearing a deal for highly-rated prospect Zepiqueno Redmond. His recruitment strategies have been instrumental in reshaping Villa’s squad with a clear long-term vision.
Meanwhile, Emery’s impact on the pitch has been even more transformative. Under his stewardship, Villa have re-established themselves as one of the top clubs in England. His tactical nous and leadership have helped elevate the team to consistent top-six finishes and brought Champions League football back to Villa Park for the first time in decades.
However, the stability of this successful project could be threatened by developments in Spain. Reports suggest that Sevilla – the club where Monchi spent the majority of his playing and executive career – are close to a major takeover. This has opened the door to a possible return for Monchi to the La Liga outfit for what would be his third stint as sporting director.
Monchi’s deep-rooted connection with Sevilla is no secret. He spent nearly a decade there as a goalkeeper before transitioning into the front office in 2000. Other than a short period at Roma, he remained loyal to the Andalusian club until making the move to Aston Villa last year at the request of Emery.
According to Spanish outlet ABC (19 June), Sevilla’s new ownership could be keen to bring Monchi back as they seek to make a bold statement. This has raised the prospect of Emery also being targeted to join the project – a move that would mark a dramatic double return for two of Sevilla’s most successful footballing minds.
Former Aston Villa scout Bryan King, in comments made to Villa News, suggested that the pair’s close relationship could lead to a joint move back to Spain.
“When Monchi was at Sevilla, Emery was there too,” King said. “It was Emery who played a major part in convincing Monchi to join Aston Villa. So, it’ll be interesting to see how far their loyalty and friendship go.
“It’s entirely possible that the potential new Sevilla owners are eyeing Monchi, and if Aston Villa’s situation becomes uncertain, Emery might also be a target. Emery has already had success at Sevilla, and a return could be appealing. Bringing them both back would be a major coup for the new regime.”
While Monchi’s potential exit would undoubtedly be a setback, the possibility of losing Emery is an even greater concern for Villa supporters. Emery is the architect of Villa’s current renaissance – the team, its infrastructure, and overall footballing philosophy have been shaped around his leadership.
Significant investments and decisions made by the club’s hierarchy, including the recruitment of Monchi and other backroom staff, have been done with the clear intention of building around Emery’s vision. Losing him at this crucial stage would risk derailing the long-term progress Villa have made.
As such, keeping Emery must be the club’s top priority. Aston Villa have built a solid foundation, and with Champions League football on the horizon, this is a moment of opportunity rather than transition. The board must ensure that Emery is given every incentive to stay, both in terms of control over football matters and support in the transfer market.
Ultimately, while Monchi’s potential departure would be a blow, losing Emery could prove catastrophic. Aston Villa must do everything in their power to keep hold of their manager – the man who has not only restored their competitive edge but has also returned belief to the fanbase.