I Make Pies Posted May 14, 2023 Share Posted May 14, 2023 I saw an article (can't remember where) saying Heck would be working at the V-Sports level, leaving the other three men in Villa-specific roles (unless Lange or others are moved around as @OutByEaster? suggests as a possibility). Don't know how reliable that information is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mantis Posted May 14, 2023 Share Posted May 14, 2023 I wonder if Emery had a role in bringing Heck in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allani Posted May 14, 2023 Share Posted May 14, 2023 19 minutes ago, Mantis said: I wonder if Emery had a role in bringing Heck in? Surely Heck is 100% a WE connection. I think Alemany coming is heavily connected to Emery though (either directly in terms of Emery suggesting him or indirectly in that Alemany recognises him as a manager who can help him fulfill the vision). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mantis Posted May 14, 2023 Share Posted May 14, 2023 5 minutes ago, allani said: Surely Heck is 100% a WE connection. I think Alemany coming is heavily connected to Emery though (either directly in terms of Emery suggesting him or indirectly in that Alemany recognises him as a manager who can help him fulfill the vision). Heck himself would be, I just wonder whether Emery said something like "I need someone brought in to do X Y Z" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allani Posted May 14, 2023 Share Posted May 14, 2023 12 minutes ago, Mantis said: Heck himself would be, I just wonder whether Emery said something like "I need someone brought in to do X Y Z" I think Alemany makes a lot of sense in that scenario. I don't think that marketing is something that Emery would prioritise. Much more likely that the Heck role was identified by Purslow (directly or indirectly) as part of the ongoing discussions with NSWE on increasing revenue and WE said "hold my coat I know just the man". 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allani Posted May 14, 2023 Share Posted May 14, 2023 (edited) 17 minutes ago, Mantis said: Heck himself would be, I just wonder whether Emery said something like "I need someone brought in to do X Y Z" That isn't to say that the transformation on the pitch under Emery hasn't accelerated some of those discussions. So from that perspective we might have made the appointment now because Emery has moved us 12 / 24 months along our plan. Plus it was probably easier selling the vision to Heck when we were 5th / 6th / 7th in the league rather than 17th. Edited May 14, 2023 by allani Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wishywashy Posted May 17, 2023 Share Posted May 17, 2023 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villaphan04 Posted May 17, 2023 Share Posted May 17, 2023 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutByEaster? Posted May 17, 2023 Moderator Share Posted May 17, 2023 Ooh, the Heck statement is very interesting - not reporting to Purslow but direct to the owners and with "full responsibility for all business and commercial matters". That's the big job. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutByEaster? Posted May 17, 2023 Moderator Share Posted May 17, 2023 https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2023/may/17/club-statement/ Quote V Sports and Aston Villa are delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Heck as the Group’s new President of Business Operations. Chris Heck brings over 30 years of sports industry experience to the Club, including his most recent role as President of the National Basketball Association franchise the Philadelphia 76ers. Prior to his time with the 76ers, he held leadership roles at Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls and the National Basketball Association. He will report to Aston Villa ownership, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, and have full responsibility for all business and commercial matters. Nassef Sawiris, Chairman of AVFC said: “We are excited to have Chris joining us as President of Business Operations. Consistent with our philosophy on the pitch, we have brought in world class talent off the pitch to help us continue our growth. Chris’ arrival will further establish Villa as a global leader in sport and enhance the fan experience.” Mr. Heck said: “Villa’s storied history and impressive fanbase is something I’ve always admired from my sports career in the US. I look forward to becoming a part of this community and furthering the great legacy of this team and its fans.” Chris will assume his duties effective immediately. Interesting that it's V Sports and Aston Villa, not just Aston Villa. But for me it's that reporting and responsibility lines that are the big ones. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutByEaster? Posted May 17, 2023 Moderator Share Posted May 17, 2023 So I guess the board is now the owners at the top, with Heck in charge of Business and Commercial matters for the group and Purslow in charge of club matters at Aston Villa? If that's the case, is Heck senior to Purslow as group President over the CEO? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutByEaster? Posted May 17, 2023 Moderator Share Posted May 17, 2023 There's some very interesting wording in there. Welcome Mr Heck - I hope you're a massive success. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferguson1 Posted May 17, 2023 Share Posted May 17, 2023 Be interesting to see what else happens over the next week or so? Just something in the statement released today that suggests some major changes are afoot……… Chris will assume his duties effective immediately. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
est1874 Posted May 17, 2023 Share Posted May 17, 2023 Welcome. Don't be shit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villaphan04 Posted May 17, 2023 Share Posted May 17, 2023 20 minutes ago, OutByEaster? said: https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2023/may/17/club-statement/ Interesting that it's V Sports and Aston Villa, not just Aston Villa. But for me it's that reporting and responsibility lines that are the big ones. I was going to mention that, Heck isn't a Villa specific guy, but a broad VSports guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wishywashy Posted May 17, 2023 Share Posted May 17, 2023 (edited) It's all very careful wording. The 'Group' and the headline suggests V Sports, but I find it curious how it's explicitly specified that he'll report to 'Aston Villa ownership'. I think OBE is right in his assessment, but the whole statement has just been really curiously written and I think that's intentional: why that is I have no idea. Edited May 17, 2023 by wishywashy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talldarkandransome Posted May 17, 2023 Share Posted May 17, 2023 Well it says full responsibility for all Business and Commercial matters in the article on the OS. Reporting to Nas and Wes. That sounds pretty important 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveAV1 Posted May 17, 2023 Share Posted May 17, 2023 26 minutes ago, est1874 said: Welcome. Don't be shit. Sound advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Made In Aston Posted May 17, 2023 Share Posted May 17, 2023 (edited) 51 minutes ago, OutByEaster? said: Ooh, the Heck statement is very interesting - not reporting to Purslow but direct to the owners and with "full responsibility for all business and commercial matters". That's the big job. It's not particularly interesting. It would be pointless appointing a separate commercial director at villa and V Sports, as there would be too much crossover, considering the group is so small at the moment. Makes sense to have him at V Sports level to cater for future group expansion. Purslow is specifically Villa so there would be no reason to have Heck reporting to him when he is only looking after one company in the group. Don't forget Purslow is probably not too far off retirement and won't want the added responsibility of dealing with the entire operation anyway. Edited May 17, 2023 by Made In Aston Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodders0223 Posted May 17, 2023 Share Posted May 17, 2023 What's his job and doss it impact my ability to (not) get served at half time a pie? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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