Aston Villa appoint Natalia Arroyo as new head coach | OneFootball

Aston Villa have appointed Natalia Arroyo as their new head coach ahead of the second half of the Women’s Super League season.

The Spaniard joins Villa on a three-and-a-half year deal, which will see her stay until the summer of 2028. Arroyo will take over the role from Robert de Pauw, who was sacked by Villa in December.

She joins Villa from Real Sociedad, where she previously spent the previous four seasons. Whilst managing in Liga F, Arroyo finished fifth in her first season but saw vast improvement during her second as Sociedad finished in second place. This secured them qualification to the Champions League. The 38-year-old’s spell in Spain ended at the end of the 2023/24 season, after leading Real Sociedad to the Copa de la Reina final, where they ultimately lost to Barcelona.

President of Football Operations, Monchi said: “We are delighted to welcome Natalia to the football club. Natalia impressed us with her passion for football and approach to coaching. We believe she has all the necessary tools to succeed at Aston Villa.”

Natalia Arroyo excited to join ‘historic’ Aston Villa

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Speaking on her move, Arroyo said: “It’s an historic club. It’s a club that has a great project and that has a good present but a good vision to a better future. I feel confident and I feel great to be a coach that helps a team to grow. I think that we are in this great point where there are great things that have been done already, but I can help to make the club take the next step.”

Arroyo continued to stress that she felt ‘great’ following her first conversation with the club.

“I like the squad, and I like the club — I am ready to help.”

Arroyo’s first game in charge will come next weekend against WSL leaders Chelsea. Villa, who currently sit five points clear of the relegation zone, will hope to get a result at Villa Park and build on last season’s seventh-placed finish.

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