Villa 'set to hire former Philadelphia 76ers president Chris Heck'
Aston Villa are ‘set to hire former Philadelphia 76ers president Chris Heck’ in their senior management structure, with the Premier League side also plotting ambitious move for Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany this summer
- Aston Villa have risen to eighth in the Premier League since Unai Emery’s arrival
- They are now set to bring in former Philadelphia 76ers president Chris Heck
- Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany is also expected to join the club
Aston Villa are reportedly set to bring former Philadelphia 76ers president Chris Heck into their senior management structure.
Heck left the Sixers last summer after nine years at the NBA franchise, a period that coincided with one of the most successful spells in their history.
According to The Athletic, the move was pushed by Villa’s co-owner Wes Edens, who rates Heck as a commercial expert after witnessing his Basketball success first hand as co-owner of rival franchise Milwaukee Bucks.
Heck has worked in football before after spending two years as New York Red Bulls’ president of business operations from 2011-13.
He is not the only high-profile appointment expected at Villa Park, with Barcelona’s director of football Mateu Alemany also expected to arrive once his time at the Nou Camp ends this summer.
Aston Villa are expected to hire former Philadelphia 76ers president Chris Heck in a senior role
Mateu Alemany is also expected to join Villa when his time with Barcelona ends this summer
Alemany took the role at Barcelona in 2021 after previously working with Mallorca and Valencia.
According to Spanish sources, Barcelona knew they could not match the terms on offer from Villa and agreed to let the 60-year-old link up with Unai Emery.
When the former Arsenal boss was hired to replace Steven Gerrard last autumn, he was given free reign to shape the first-team picture as he saw fit.
The arrival of Alemany, if ultimately confirmed, would be a major step in that direction.
Unai Emery has taken Aston Villa from 17th to eighth since taking over in November 2022
He was asked about links with the Midlands club in March, but refused to comment as he said it was ‘a private matter of no great importance.’
Villa have enjoyed an excellent run of form since Emery’s arrival at the club in November, rising to eighth in the Premier League table.
They may miss out on European football after losing their last two games, but have still produced an impressive turnaround after sitting 17th when Gerrard was sacked in October.
Villa will end the season with three tough games as they face Tottenham at home before travelling to Anfield to face Liverpool, and they finish the campaign with a final day clash against Brighton.
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