Steve Round confident of steering Aston Villa back to success
Steve Round set sights on once more making Villa a force to be reckoned with after being officially unveiled the club's technical director.
The 45-year-old former Everton and Manchester United assistant has now officially started work at Villa Park, though it is understood he had been assisting the club during the final weeks of the transfer window.
Round was chosen last month following a lengthy recruitment process which involved manager Roberto Di Matteo.
Tony Xia, Villa's new owner, sees the technical director role as key to his long-term plan for the club and Round, who has taken over the scouting department, will also have a say in the appointment of future managers.
He said: "I am absolutely delighted to join such a great club with a superb support and historic tradition.
"The technical director role is something I've been working towards for a long time and once I had met the owner and seen his vision for the club I knew I wanted to be a part of it.
"There is a lot of hard work ahead but with the support of the chairman and (chief executive) Keith Wyness, the expertise of Roberto and his excellent coaching team I am sure Aston Villa will re-establish itself as a highly successful football club."
Villa signed nine new players during what was regarded as a successful transfer window.
Their previous recruitment has been less than stellar, however, with more than £50million spent on players who failed to deliver last season, as the club were relegated from the Premier League.
Wyness described Round, who worked under David Moyes at both Goodison Park and Old Trafford, as having a contacts book which was "the envy of many" and reckons he can play a key role in re-establishing Villa as a force in the English game.
He said: "The technical director position is one that is a vital role for the future of Aston Villa.
"With Steve we have over 20 years of Premier League experience with a black book that is the envy of many.
"Just as important is his vision for the way the club will start to recruit and develop at all ages throughout the club.
"His recent studies for an MSC in the technical director role showed his dedication and desire to develop this role and we believe he will be an instrumental part of the team.
"We look forward to Steve joining the new team and helping us move Villa back to where it belongs. He is a key part of the change we are bringing to Aston Villa."
