Aston Villa have brought in Jesus Garcia Pitarch as sporting director.
New Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has told the club’s official YouTube channel that the appointment of Jesus Garcia Pitarch will make things easier for him, as he is used to have two sporting directors.
On Wednesday night, Villa landed their successor to Steve Bruce, a week after sacking the ex-Hull City man after two years in the Villa Park hot seat.
After alleged moves for Thierry Henry and Rui Faria didn’t go through, Villa turned to Smith, and managed to strike a deal with Brentford to lure him to Villa Park.
Smith has impressed in charge of Walsall and Brentford, earning plaudits for his attacking football and his development of young players, which should be just what Villa fans want after dour football and ageing signings under Bruce.
Smith wasn’t the only appointment Villa made though; ex-Villa defender John Terry came in as assistant coach, whilst Spaniard Jesus Garcia Pitarch has arrived as sporting director.
The former Valencia man has worked for many years as a director, operating in the transfer market with Valencia, Real Zaragoza and Atletico Madrid, and will now oversee Villa’s transfers.
Pitarch will now be working alongside Smith, and Smith has told the club’s official YouTube channel that he is looking forward to working with the Spaniard – and believes it will be easier for him to work with one sporting director having worked with two at Brentford.
“I’ve met Suso, I believe he’s in today, we’ll sit down and have a chat,” said Smith. “For me, it’s probably going to be a little bit easier, because I’ve got just the one sporting director now – at Brentford I had two! It’s a route that I’ve worked with before, I think it works, it gives a more holistic view of the whole football club, and we will work closely together,” he added.
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