Monchi has explained why he left Aston Villa last month, admitting he wasn’t completely content during his short spell in England. The renowned director of football, who officially departed on 23 September, suggested his heart was elsewhere and that family and friends encouraged him to step away.
Villa quickly replaced Monchi with Roberto Olabe, ending a turbulent summer in which financial restrictions left the club struggling to strengthen their squad. Monchi’s exit, after less than 18 months, drew surprise given his reputation for building successful squads in Spain, most notably with Sevilla.
Monchi opens up on his Aston Villa departure
Speaking to Spanish outlet AS after an appearance on Onda Cero’s Radioestadio Noche, Monchi admitted that Aston Villa was never a perfect fit. His comments also underlined why he chose to commit fully to his hometown club San Fernando, who were recently relaunched in the ninth tier of Spanish football.
“When you identify with a project, no matter how humble, there’s always something that hits you in the gut and motivates you. There’s no pressure, but there is responsibility.” — Monchi
The Spaniard stressed that personal reasons played a huge role in his decision. “I chose what I wanted to do after talking with my family and friends, and those who know me know that I’m happy here, in my homeland,” he said.
San Fernando revival the priority
Monchi has been at the centre of San Fernando’s rebirth. He helped negotiate new ownership for the Andalusian club, ensuring its survival and securing a place to restart in Spain’s regional divisions.
While the original plan had been to balance his commitments between Aston Villa and San Fernando, the reality proved impossible. His loyalties became clear, and he decided to prioritise the project closest to his heart.
“For now, my mind is focused on this,” Monchi added. “Everything that happens in the future has to be compatible with being at San Fernando.”
Analyst verdict: cultural fit the key issue
FootballPlace analyst John William believes Monchi’s swift exit highlights the challenges of cultural and personal fit in modern football:
“Monchi has always thrived in Spain, where he understands the ecosystem and draws motivation from community ties. At Villa, he faced FFP pressures and a demanding ownership group. Without that personal connection, it was difficult for him to feel settled. His departure reflects not just professional but emotional priorities.”
Key insights
- Monchi stepped down as Aston Villa director of football on 23 September.
- He admitted he wasn’t “entirely happy” in Birmingham.
- Family, friends and his passion for San Fernando influenced the decision.
- Villa endured a difficult summer transfer window under FFP/PSR limits.
- Monchi is now fully focused on reviving San Fernando in Spain’s ninth tier.
What’s next for Monchi and Villa?
For Aston Villa, Roberto Olabe will take charge of future recruitment, with his immediate challenge being the January transfer window. The club must balance squad improvement with financial restrictions.
As for Monchi, his future is firmly tied to San Fernando in the medium term. While he remains open to new opportunities down the line, he made it clear any role must be compatible with his commitment to his hometown.
👉 Do you think Monchi made the right decision to prioritise San Fernando over Aston Villa?
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