Aston Villa Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Hendrik Almstadt as the Club's first ever Sporting Director.The 40-year old German joins the Club from Arsenal where he spent the last four years in the football department working with the chief executive and manager in the areas of technical scouting, data analytics, financial budgeting and contract management, the academy and athletic development.Chief executive Tom Fox said: "I'm really pleased to welcome Hendrik to Aston Villa."I was able to see first hand the excellent work he did at Arsenal and he will add tremendous value across our entire football set-up."Almstadt begins work officially at Bodymoor Heath on Monday and is looking forward to the new challenge.He said: "I can't wait to start my new role at Aston Villa."It is a club with huge potential, a rich history and deep roots in Birmingham, the Midlands, and within English and European football."I look forward to working again with Tom Fox and to establish a close relationship with the manager, Tim Sherwood."Manager Tim Sherwood said: "I'm really excited Hendrik is joining."We have a lot of work to do at the football club and Hendrik will make the job I have here easier."
Welcome Hendrik, is this the new title for Director of Football Operations then?
I think there will be a couple more appointments similar to this over the next few months. I'm quite happy about this, its taken far too long but we're starting to act in a way that will likely take us forward.
I hope Tim still has full power on who he brings in....Not a fan of these Sporting Directors to be honest, another foreign myth that British football thinks it must have.
QuoteAston Villa Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Hendrik Almstadt as the Club's first ever Sporting Director.The 40-year old German joins the Club from Arsenal where he spent the last four years in the football department working with the chief executive and manager in the areas of technical scouting, data analytics, financial budgeting and contract management, the academy and athletic development.Chief executive Tom Fox said: "I'm really pleased to welcome Hendrik to Aston Villa."I was able to see first hand the excellent work he did at Arsenal and he will add tremendous value across our entire football set-up."Almstadt begins work officially at Bodymoor Heath on Monday and is looking forward to the new challenge.He said: "I can't wait to start my new role at Aston Villa."It is a club with huge potential, a rich history and deep roots in Birmingham, the Midlands, and within English and European football."I look forward to working again with Tom Fox and to establish a close relationship with the manager, Tim Sherwood."Manager Tim Sherwood said: "I'm really excited Hendrik is joining."We have a lot of work to do at the football club and Hendrik will make the job I have here easier."