Aston Villa Close to Appointing Roberto Olabe as President of Football Operations
Aston Villa are reportedly in advanced talks to bring Roberto Olabe on board as their new president of football operations, following Monchi’s departure from the role.
Olabe, 57, who left Real Sociedad at the end of last season, is widely recognised as one of football’s most accomplished sporting directors.
Villa had considered him previous to appointing Monchi, and the Spaniard has also been linked with major clubs, including Arsenal and Real Madrid.
Understand Real Sociedad director Roberto Olabe is among top candidates for Aston Villa director job.
Internal talks ongoing to replace Monchi who will leave the club with immediate effect. pic.twitter.com/QsjBMxkFT9
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 23, 2025
Still, it’ll be regarded as a major achievement for the Premier League side, reflecting Olabe’s track record in player development and strategic football operation, if the deal goes through.
At Real Sociedad, Olabe played a vital part in giving, trading, and nurturing talents such as Alexander Isak, Mikel Merino, Martin Ødegaard, and Martin Zubimendi.
He also oversaw the emergence of Ecuador’s golden generation, including Moisés Caicedo and Piero Hincapié, during his term as head of sporting strategy at Independiente del Valle.
Olabe maintains strong professional connections with directors like Unai Emery, Xabi Alonso, and Mikel Arteta, and he contributed to Qatar’s preparations for the 2022 World Cup.
Monchi’s return to Spain, driven largely by personal reasons, will not sever ties completely. Sources suggest he will continue advising Villa’s ownership group, V Sports, as part of a broader restructuring of the football department.
How Roberto Olabe Shaped Real Sociedad?
When Olabe returned to Real Sociedad in 2018 for his third spell as sporting director, club president Jokin Aperribay handed him broad authority over transfers and youth development. The results were remarkable.
Stager players similar to Xabi Prieto and Imanol Agirretxe were hypercritically transitioned out, while investments in rising stars like Alexander Isak, Martin Ødegaard, and Mikel Merino paid tips.
Homegrown bents Mikel Oyarzabal, Martin Zubimendi, and Robin Le Normand came first- platoon stalwarts. Meanwhile, educated contenders like David Silva and Nacho Monreal added leadership and stability.
Coach Imanol Alguacil was promoted from the B platoon and allowed the time and structure to apply his gospel, leading to one of La Real’s most successful ages since the 1980s.
The club’s regular approach earned respect across Spanish football, differing from the further erratic decision-making seen at Valencia or Sevilla.
Cohesion between the chairman, the sporting director, trainer, and elderly players proved crucial, climaxing in a first jewel in three decades, the 2020 Copa del Rey, in which eight homegrown players started in the palm against Athletic Bilbao( final played behind closed doors in 2021 due to COVID-19).
Off the pitch, Olabe oversaw major improvements at the Zubieta training ground. A unified player development model across both men’s and women’s teams emphasised technical skill and rapid play.
Notably, Xabi Alonso spent three years at Zubieta learning the coaching craft that would eventually take him to Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid.
Roberto Olabe’s potential arrival at Aston Villa signals a strategic shift, blending careful recruitment with long-term development. Villa fans will hope the Spaniard can replicate the intelligent, sustainable success he delivered in Spain.
