Former Aston Villa director of football operations Monchi has been appointed as the new sporting director of La Liga side Espanyol, marking his return to Spanish football after a successful stint in the Premier League.
Monchi, a highly influential figure at Villa Park and a close ally of former manager Unai Emery, left the club in 2025. During his tenure, he played a key role in several major transfers, helping transform Aston Villa into a regular contender for European qualification alongside Emery and other backroom staff.
Espanyol, a sister club to Burnley, confirmed that Monchi will take full control of their sporting departments. The 55-year-old built his reputation over two decades at Sevilla, where he also worked with Emery. Together, they won seven Europa League titles during Monchi's time at the Andalusian club.
After his long stint at Sevilla, Monchi moved to Roma before joining Aston Villa, where he oversaw a period of significant growth and success. His appointment at Espanyol is seen as a major coup for the Catalan club as they aim to strengthen their squad and compete at the highest level in La Liga.
Monchi's experience and track record in player recruitment and club development are expected to be invaluable assets for Espanyol, who are looking to build on their recent performances and establish themselves as a stable top-flight side.
