Legendary LaLiga sporting director Monchi has returned to Spain with lowly Espanyol.
A statement from the Barcelona side read: “The addition of Monchi strengthens the RCD Espanyol’s sporting structure with one of the most recognized and prestigious executives in European football.
“The different sporting areas will maintain their current executive management, which will now report to the new General Sporting Directorate headed by Monchi.”
The move comes as a surprise, with Monchi previously ruling out a return to his first love, Sevilla.
The 57-year-old spent his life with the club, moving upstairs from his goalkeeping days to construct a squad that won multiple Europa League titles.
Monchi first left the club in 2017 for Roma, returning from 2019 to 2023 before a brief stint at Aston Villa.
He was then asked to comment on rumours of a move back to Sevilla under expected new owner Sergio Ramos.
Monchi ruled out Sevilla return
“I’ve experienced so much that my motivation is for Sevilla to do well, but I don’t have that hunger,” he said.
“I’ve won 11 titles, I’ve played in 19 or 20 finals. My hunger is my love for Sevilla.
“And today I satisfy it by celebrating Akor Adams’ penalty goal as if I were the sporting director, or as just another one of the 40,000 Sevilla fans in the stadium.”
On Ramos, he commented: “Sergio has experience, I know he’s a Sevilla fan.
“Leaving aside what happened in the past, I know he’s a Sevilla fan.
“He came back last year because he has that feeling. If he has the shareholder backing, which requires buying shares, and he wants to dedicate himself to it, I don’t see anything wrong with it.
“I think he’s gotten involved in this with full awareness.
“Sergio has won everything, absolutely everything, at Real Madrid. He hasn’t had the same luck or opportunity at Sevilla because he left early.
“He’s a guy with a big ego, and I mean that in a positive way. Maybe he’s thinking, ‘Hey, I think I can make Sevilla champions’.”
Sevilla are currently one spot above 14th-placed Espanyol in LaLiga and both teams could still be relegated this season.
Ramos has a clause in his projected takeover of Sevilla that the purchase price will be reduced should they go down.
As for Espanyol, the Monchi move marks a huge statement of intent after Alan Pace, chairman of Burnley, took over the club.
Monchi has an incredible track record of trophy wins, backed by his scouting of stars such as Adriano, Dani Alves, Julio Baptista, Federico Fazio, Seydou Keita and Ivan Rakitic, and that’s just at Sevilla.
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