FIFA World Cup winner David Villa has joined Indian Super League side Odisha FC as their Head of Global Football Operations. Meanwhile, Odisha has also brought back former head coach Josep Gombau and Victor Onate to form the technical committee.
Odisha FC has appointed Spanish football great David Villa as their Head of Global Football Operations. Villa, along with former Odisha head coach Josep Gombau and Victor Onate, will form the club’s technical committee going forward.
A World Cup winner with Spain, this will be Villa’s first footballing experience in India. He spoke to Sky Sports News following his appointment and underlined what fans can expect from him.
“I will try and bring my experience,”
“Obviously, I didn’t play in India but I played soccer for 20 years as a professional and before that in the academy. And in all of the projects that we [my team] are involved in, I try to give all of my experience that I have in soccer.
“I was very lucky to have played with great players, behind me and close to me [and I also played under some] big coaches, amazing coaches. I have played in the big tournaments of football, and I will try and help using all of that experience.”
he said in an interview with Sky Sports News.
Villa’s playing career spanned two decades and took him to three different continents. The Spaniard started his career in 2000 with Sporting Gijon before moving to Real Zaragoza, and eventually, Valencia. It was with Los Che that Villa garnered international attention. However, following the 2010 World Cup, he completed his first major move as he joined Barcelona.
Two LaLiga titles and a Champions League title later, Villa left Barcelona to join rivals Atletico Madrid. He spent only one season with the Rojiblancos, which too finished with him being crowned the champion of Spain. He had spells in North America and Australia during the latter part of his career. He hung up his boots in 2020, following one season at the Japanese side, Vissel Kobe.
