Sources: Aston Villa recruitment chief to stay after holding Bristol City talks

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Published on:

13 May 2021, 1:30 am

Aston Villa recruitment chief Rob Mackenzie is set to stay put after holding talks over joining Bristol City, Football Insider understands.

The head of recruitment at the Midlands giants was interested in the possibility of linking up again with his former Leicester City and OH Leuven ally Nigel Pearson.

Discussions were held over a move that would have seen him step down to the Championship for a more hands-on role.

He was open to leaving because he is said to not have enough of a say in Villa's transfer operations.

But a source has told Football Insider Mackenzie has opted to remain at Villa for now, at a time when there is a revamp of their recruitment set-up.

Football Insider revealed on Wednesday that the Premier League club are set to sack senior scouts Mick Brown and Alan Wood this week.

The plan is to put more emphasis on recruitment from analysts and number crunchers ahead of a busy summer.

Aston Villa are set for another window of big spending in a bid to keep hold of talismanic captain Jack Grealish.

Dean Smith told the press yesterday: "The people in the recruitment department and the sporting director have certainly had their finger on the pulse.

"The targets will make me excited, so it should make the supporters excited as well."

Football Insider understands the Villa are eyeing a number of players including Tammy Abraham, Dwight McNeil and Axel Tuanzebe.

Head of recruitment Mackenzie moved to the club less than a year ago to work alongside sporting director Johan Lange.

The Dane oversaw a summer of spending that saw Ollie Watkins, Matty Cash, Emiliano Martinez and Bertrand Traore all arrive at Villa Park.

In other news, there has been a huge update on Villa's pursuit of a young defender.

Aston Villa

Bristol City