Monchi has revealed that a conversation with Unai Emery led to his departure from Aston Villa this summer.

COPE have an interview with the former Aston Villa director of football today. It’s the latest in a series of interviews he’s done over the last two months.

He left Aston Villa officially on September 23^rd and was replaced by Roberto Olabe. His departure came after a difficult summer in which Aston Villa had struggled to work around PSR and FFP limitations.

Monchi ended up in the firing line, with some questioning the work that he had done to strengthen Unai Emery’s squad. Few, though, would have seen him departing.

The belief was that the Spaniard was at Villa Park for the long-term, particularly thanks to his relationship with Emery. It turns out, though, it was that relationship which led to his exit after a “difficult summer”.

“We are both very demanding people, and in a very amicable way, we sat down one day and said, ‘Hey, maybe it’s time to stop,’” he said. He then insisted that their relationship ‘remain excellent’. He also wishes Aston Villa nothing but success in future.

That is partly...