Natalia Arroyo Appointed as Aston Villa Head Coach

Arroyo has taken up the managerial position at Aston Villa, having signed a three-and-a-half-year deal that will run until the end of the 2027/2028 season.

Most recently, the Spaniard spent four seasons in charge of Liga F side, Real Sociedad- during which time, the team saw an overwhelming improvement, notably during Arroyo’s second season in charge, where they achieved a second place league finish. This high placement secured the team with a Champions League qualification, and despite a short lived campaign, this allowed experience at a European level for Arroyo. In her final season with Real Sociedad, she led the team to the Copa De La Reina Final, in a fixture that ultimately ended in defeat, with Barcelona prevailing. Despite the result, the ability to effectively coach and organise a team in order to progress to a final; when faced with strong opposition, such as a two legged semi final against Atlético de Madrid, Arroyo was surely deserving of praise.

Aston Villa’s President of Football Operations, spoke of the delight of welcoming someone with a managerial profile like Arroyo’s to the team’s setup, expressing that “Natalia impressed us with her passion for football and approach to coaching.” While enforcing the belief that “she has all the necessary tools to succeed at Aston Villa.”

When speaking about her move, Arroyo explained her confidence in helping the team thrive and develop, though past foundations, laid to create a vision for the squad did not go disregarded as she spoke on the idea that “great things have already been done, but I can help to make the club take the next step.”

Arroyo’s first game in charge comes on Sunday, February 2nd, as Aston Villa take on league leaders Chelsea, at Villa Park. A fixture in which Arroyo will meet a familiar face, through Chelsea’s Alejandra Bernabé, who played under her while at Real Sociedad. Currently, Aston Villa sit in eight place within the WSL standings- and while they are five points clear of the relegation zone, players and Arroyo alike will likely be aiming to build on what has been a slow and slightly unpredictable first half of the season.