Matt Maher comment: Christian Purslow exit part of Aston Villa evolution
Just a year ago, Christian Purslow leaving Villa would have felt seismic news.
Instead, Monday’s confirmation the chief executive was stepping down from his role, while initially jolting in the way such announcements always are, was in reality a natural step at a club rapidly changing shape.
From a position of being the most powerful man inside Villa Park behind owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, Purslow had seen his influence gradually wane from the moment Unai Emery arrived as head coach last November.
For a man who loved being hands-on, to the extent he left his previous post as Chelsea’s commercial chief because he did not feel sufficiently involved, a peripheral role was never going to be satisfactory.
It could be argued at times Purslow wielded a little too much control. Certainly, his role in recruitment was often greater than other Premier League CEOs. When considering the ill-fated appointment of Steven Gerrard and the signing of Philippe Coutinho, it perhaps ended up being his downfall.
