Aston Villa director of football Monchi was this week back in Spain attending a game at San Fernando, where he is now a director.
[El Desmarque](https://www.eldesmarque.com/futbol/otras-ligas/20250911/primer-dia-monchi-presidente-san-fernando-1940_300755016.html?amp=1) cover the situation today, explaining that the current Aston Villa chief has come to the rescue of his hometown’s football club, becoming president of the organisation alongside his son, Alejandro Rodríguez, Sergio Ramos, and his brother René.
They have formed a new club San Fernando 1940, after the tragic demise of the city’s first football club, San Fernando CD.
Monchi and his group had tried to rescue them from the ownership but instead were forced to start a new club and project, which he will head up. They are set to start in the Third Division of Andalusia in the coming weeks.
This week saw the end of their pre-season campaign, facing Xerez Deportivo FC from the Third Division of the RFEF and earning a 1-1 draw.
Monchi flew over to watch the game from the presidential box, taking advantage of the international break to leave Aston Villa to one side temporarily and return home to see his new club.
He was more than happy with what he saw and thanked Ramos for his help in making the project happen.
“A few days of vacation have been very useful for me, and tomorrow I’m returning to England, where I have to be with my team,” he said.
“And the truth is, I’m happy; it was a magnificent match. Considering that the opponent is five leagues above us, I think the project is progressing well, and above all, the most beautiful thing is seeing the enthusiasm of the people.
“It’s a great opportunity to lend a hand to a very exciting project, a project that unfortunately has had a dramatic moment with the demise of San Fernando CD.
“We started with a group of friends, very Cañaíla people, very island people, good professionals too, and we’re building something that I, to the best of my ability, support because, obviously, my work and my life are in Birmingham, but I’m going to try to always give it that bit of experience I have.
“I’m especially grateful to René, who’s the most up to date; he (Sergio) is the most distant. René is a wonderful travel partner, and I’m grateful to him because without him, I might not have taken the step forward.”