Christian Purslow steps down as CEO of Aston Villa after five years…
- Christian Purslow joined Aston Villa in 2018 after NSWE took over the club
- Villa secured promotion to the Premier League during Purslow’s tenure
- His departure comes weeks after Unai Emery led Villa back to Europe
Aston Villa have announced that Christian Purslow will step down as CEO and director after five years at the club.
Purslow joined Villa in September 2018, shortly after the NSWE acquired a majority stake in the club.
Aston Villa were in the Championship when Purslow arrived, but secured promotion to the Premier League during his tenure.
Purslow’s departure comes weeks after the club qualified for next season’s Europa Conference League via a seventh-place finish in the Premier League.
“It has been a great privilege to lead Villa for the past five years,” said Purslow.
Aston Villa have announced that Christian Purslow is stepping down after five years
Purslow’s departure comes weeks after Unai Emery led Aston Villa back to Europe
“I am proud to leave the club in a much better position on and off the pitch than when I arrived.
‘We have recovered in the Premier League; we now have a very competitive professional women’s team; we have excellent academies for boys and girls; we have created a world-class training ground and obtained planning permission to extend and modernize our magnificent stadium.
“Thank you to everyone at Villa and our supporters who made my time here so enjoyable.”
Aston Villa owners Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris have praised Purslow’s leadership, with the 59-year-old said to have overseen a “transformation” of the club.
“We would like to thank Christian for his outstanding leadership of the club over the past five seasons,” they said.
“He has overseen a transformation of the club both on and off the pitch and delivered the ambitious turnaround plan he presented to us when he arrived in 2018.
“We’re thankful for everything he’s done.”
Purslow was previously managing director of Liverpool and Chelsea.
Sevilla transfer chief Monchi has been targeted for a role as director of football at Aston Villa
Villa boss Unai Emery has targeted legendary Sevilla transfer chief Monchi for a senior role at the Midlands club.
Monchi are expected to be approached by the club after being turned down by Barcelona director Mateu Alemany last month.
Sporting director Johan Lange is expected to stay at Villa Park, despite the interest in Monchi.
Chris Heck will lead the club’s non-football side following Purslow’s departure, with the former president of the Philadelphia 76ers joining Aston Villa last month.
Heck, who previously held a leadership role at MLS side New York Red Bulls, was given the title of president of operations.
Heck left the Sixers last summer after nine years with the NBA franchise, a period that coincided with one of the most successful periods in their history.