Stan Collymore splits Aston Villa fans with possible Monchi replacement already mooted
Monchi has left his position as President of Football Operations at Aston Villa.
This decision will have undoubtedly been influenced by the Villans’ poor start to the season, with Unai Emery’s side yet to win any of their first six matches in all competitions.
Aston Villa’s 1-1 draw with 10-man Sunderland on Sunday was further evidence that the lack of new signings over the summer has caused this Villa side to not only stagnate, but to move backwards.
With Villa on the lookout for a new director of football, former player Stan Collymore has already suggested a potential replacement for Monchi.
Stan Collymore backs Dan Ashworth for vacancy at Villa
Collymore has been critical of Monchi and the Spaniard’s success rate on the recruits he has brought to Villa Park over the years.
Dan Ashworth is someone Collymore evidently believes could do the job necessary in B6 to get Villa back into the Champions League, as he posted a photo of him on his X account immediately after the news on 22 September.
Ashworth was most recently at Manchester United; however, he only lasted five months in the role, as he left the Old Trafford club via mutual agreement.
Ashworth is perhaps best known for his stints at Brighton and Newcastle, in which he facilitated moves to bring in multiple talented players, with some being sold for extortionate fees later on.
Who are some of Dan Ashworth’s notable signings?
Some of Ashworth’s notable signings at Brighton include Marc Cucurella, Leandro Trossard, Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo, who was brought in for just £4million before eventually being sold to Chelsea for £115m.
For Newcastle, Ashworth oversaw deals for the likes of Nick Pope, Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak, who have all been vital to their success in recent seasons.
Despite this, some Villa fans are not convinced by Ashworth’s potential appointment.
Others feel as though the club should bring in an alternative director of football in Mateu Alemany, who has previously worked at Barcelona.
Ashworth’s approach of signing younger players could be a welcome change, with Villa having the joint-oldest squad in the Premier League.
Another supporter added: “Really? I know he had a good stint at Brighton, but is that due to the ownership model more so than what he put in place? Also, I would imagine Emery will have a major say on who comes in.”
One fan admitted it would be a “huge” signing to get Ashworth through the door, with the possibility of Gareth Southgate joining him if Emery is replaced.
Whatever happens next, this appointment has to be right, with fans already split.
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