{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Rob Mackenzie exit understandable at Aston Villa as chief leaves Villa Park
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…
Alan Hutton can see why Rob Mackenzie would quit Aston Villa to join Tottenham when former Villa Park sporting director Johan Lange has also made that move.
The Standard reported on 3 November that Mackenzie has left his role as head of recruitment at Villa to become Spurs’ new chief scout after previously being the head of player ID from February 2015 to August 2016.
Leonardo Gabbanini left Tottenham in September and Lange began his work at the Premier League high-flyers last week.
One of his first acts was seemingly to appoint Mackenzie, something which Hutton can understand due to them previously seeming to have a good working relationship at Aston Villa.
“I didn’t know Johan Lange all that well but I understand when you move clubs and you work well with certain people, you want to be surrounded by these kinds of guys. I understand it,” Hutton told Villa News.
“Mile Jedinak is down at Tottenham as well and he was at Villa when I was there and Johan and all these guys. They might have a good relationship as well to be a go-between with the manager.
“It happens in football. You get opportunities and sometimes you jump at the chance, sometimes you don’t. But I wouldn’t be worried.
“Monchi is there at Villa doing a really good job. I’m not sure who he’s got working under him but it’s going really well. I’m not worried about it – it’s not a problem.”
In other Aston Villa news, a £50million transfer claim has been made about Douglas Luiz amid recent speculation.