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
BBC sport have confirmed the story I bet Delph feels a right c**t now.
One thing we all know he ain’t good enough to play for city.fuck off fab & rot in oblivion.
Apparently the pic of of Sterling’s medical and someone has pasted a bald head on there
bearing in mind what happened last week none of us should believe anything until it is confirmed.
But if true it seems a lot worse.
I wasn’t bothered if he had left last week cos apart from the goals against WBA and Liverpool in the cup and a few good games with Cleverley towards the end of the season i thought he was poor. But after he showed some loyalty last weekend he had my respect and it now (if true) feels like a kick in the teeth.
With regards to actual football I personally feel both Delph and Benteke will find grass isn’t always greener, but with that being said their pockets will be nicely lined. I”m happy the club could sort out matter off the field, but on the field things couldn’t be more dire.
Anyone else think his decision/s are/were based on the proposed takeover? I.e he was staying previously as it looked like the take over was going through and fresh investment may have yielded more success, whereas now the takeover is off he can see another season fighting relegation? It’s the only thing that makes sense to me as if he goes now he will be vilified by fans of all clubs and all aspects of the media after his statement last week.
If it’s true then Delph looks a real prat and frankly someone we don’t need at our club
Fabian Delph VILLA legend??? LMAO
I’m sorry but if we have kept going after losing the likes of Milner and Young then we’ll be fine, Delph leaving just makes the signing of Gueye even more important.
just seen the photo again it could be sterling with a bald head might be a photoshop hoax could do with some feedback from the club
BB explain why he hasn’t come out & tweeted its all Bollox???
Yeah, but remember how when Judas Downing was pictured in a bindippers shirt just before he went there – everyone made out it was another Photoshop fake – may well have been, but he went anyway…
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…