Hendrik Almstadt has been appointed as Aston Villa’s first ever sporting director. Almstadt has arrived from Arsenal, where Tom Fox used to work as well, the German’s responsibilities will include technical scouting, data analytics, financial budgeting and contract management, the academy and athletic development.
“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.”- Tom Fox
Bringing in a Sporting Director is almost a direct response after talks of a takeover broke down. Lerner did state in an interview a month back that if he failed to sell the club, he’d appoint a sporting director to help with the work load at the club. Tom Fox himself has a large influence over the club now and it has shown after he has been able to bring in his own man. At the same time this can act as a positive sign that Tom Fox will continue to stay and work at this club.
“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.” – Almstadt
Comments
142 responses to “New Sporting Director Appointed”
Can’t wait for his bullshite excuse why he did a u turn,guaranteed the media will be on him.
This probably means we’re about to announce a new signing.
if its true i’m truly shocked . but until its confirmed i’m saying nothing.
but i’m still thinking its sell to buy.
It’s definitely true. SSN have just shown video footage of it all.
At least the will he’s won’t he’s be gone very soon, possibly start building some stability in the team.no more players with other things on their minds.
Yup. Only want players who want to concentrate on playing for Villa next season.
Assuming the deal’s done then I’ll take comfort in OLL’s stats on here last week showing just what a great ‘contribution’ Delph actually made to Villa’s results when he played!
As for Delph himself – trust a donkey to follow the carrots – wish him as much ‘success’ as Downing’s, and may his England career resemble Milner’s since they left VP.
I reckon he went when he knew benteke was. Tbf I don’t blame either of them Delph will get double the money and a chance to win top honours even as a bit part player. Still more than he’d ever do with us.
There is no way that Delph imagined that Benteke would be wearing a villa shirt next season in a rain of pigs pudding so I don’t think that can have anything to do with it. If he goes this will rain amongst the strangest transfer sagas in the history of football let alone our club. He’s made himself look a right cock with his ‘loyalty’ statements.
Delph gone? Couldn’t care less. I really feel we can do better for the money (or thereabouts). I am convinced that City are interested because it’s a cheap (for them) replacement for Milner. The same player from abroad and I don’t think they would have considered it for a moment.
For Benteke and Delph money we should get 3 or 4 very good players. Provided Lerner puts £15-20M on top of that we will be in so much better shape. It worked for Southampton, and we need to do as well in the market.
just read the bin dippers want benteke on the drip with that postcode would you give them credit
We need to pay Genk out of the sale, and I bet they will need it straight away, so we should tell them to get lost.
Bindippers need to pay QPR 10% of the sell-on price for Sterling – presumably why they’re already asking for the never-never.
Villa should insist on ‘cash’ – or tell them to go do one!
We have to pay 10% of benteke sell on too
Been connected to Littlewoods for too many years – Pay over 260 weeks (5 years) on selected items over £32.5m!
I think not.
That seems to be doing the rounds and makes no sense, they can’t be short of a few bob considering they’ve just fleeced Man City for £49m for a Tony Daley impersonator.
Tell them to do one we arnt cash converters ffs
Near in mind they’ve spent quite a bit already on Milner etc
I don’t know what’s a matter with them? We’ve always look after them in the past, Downing at £20m a bargain, an absolute bargain.
Milner was on a free mate.
Still on high wages though. Tbf we stitched them up a treat with Downing lol
A quality player mate, you’ve got to way up the absence of a fee verses high wages and in his case he’s worth it.
Would have loved to have seen him back at VP.
think there cards been declind or they cant remember there pin number feck me after this week you have to laugh at something
Sherwood has named 2 teams for tonight’s friendly against Braga. Benteke is not in any of them. Looks like he’s gone this weekend too.
Delph was a hero to anyone who supports a team outside of the big 4 just 6 days ago. He’s ripped the piss out of us twice since January with his statements of loyalty. He may well claim unkept promises re takeover BUT if you love a club you love a club – not how much money they have. I feel like I’ve been mugged, not because I think he’s the best player in the world, but because of the bullshit I believed.
Football is Fucking fucked.
IMO any talk about ‘takeover’ as a reason for him leaving is a complete red herring.
Delph’s gone to join a squad where he might play just-enough times to qualify for whatever winners-medal comes their way, and the pain of the anal splinters will be soothed-away by probably 3x what he’s been paid at Villa.
Hope Hodgson tells him the same as he told Milner: if you can’t get a regular game for your club, you won’t get one for England…
The only upsetting part of Delph leaving would be the low fee. As for Benteke, if the cash isn’t all up front I really can’t see the deal going through. Both Sherwood and Fox have shown to be in no rush to let Benteke go. Worse case scenario he leaves in the end and they are only stalling to get players in before prices go up. Best case scenario he stays on for one more season and we sell him on for asking price or slightly less.
just been confirmed by man city. delph signed 5 year deal.
He’s made a statement –
“I’m aware there has been intense media speculation surrounding my future in the last 24 hours and I want to set the record straight. I’m staying at the football club and I can’t wait for the start of the season.”
Oh sorry that last week.
What a f**king dumpling .
Not to gutted about Delph.. splinters for him.
thats that then UTV
whats odds sherwood walking tonight
We can’t be that lucky
So Delph is going to fly out to Australia this weekend to join up with the Man Citeh squad……..Yet the excuse the fans were given for him not going to Portugal with the Villa squad was because his missus is pregnant. Looks like we were lied to by the club again!
Long way to go to sit on a bench
https://twitter.com/hashtag/WelcomeFabia?src=hash
The too faced prick. I hope he rots away on the city bench.
Let him and Benteke go. No problem. I’m confident Sherwood will get quality replacements in. Obviously, the full fee for Benteke must be paid up front. Anything else would be ridiculous. Get the 40 million for both and rebuild.
1991. Big Ron takes over a much bigger shambles than what TS has got now. He wants to keep David Platt and build around him, but Platt goes for a then record fee. Big Ron rebuilds and basically buys a whole new team. Villa finish 7th, with some great football along the way, then finish runners up the following year, with even better football.
Let them go. Just make sure the money is banked and spent wisely. This is what TS is paid to do. I think he will do well.
UTV
Looking at the Braga game and it looks like Gil is playing in Delphs position. Looks the real deal too.
sherwood must have been promised funds when he took job, less than3 weeks to first match and from final team 4 gone plus 2 subs with benteke looking like going thats 7 of 18man squad,replaced with 2 plus a sub keeper
when sinclair signing was annouced sherwood seemed shocked as if not his choice,dropped guzan for given then released given few weeks later,if guzan was going to be first choice again surely would have played him in final not like given was here 20 years
can see sherwood taking different flight home and then lerner will be in shite mon walked out on lerner can see now why lerner fraud