Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Odisha FC on Thursday announced former Spanish footballer David Villa will lead their global football operations.
“World Cup winner and Spanish football legend @Guaje7Villa (David Villa) has been brought in by Odisha FC to spearhead our global football operations,” Odisha FC tweeted.
“I will try and bring my experience [to the role],” Villa said in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News.
“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 added.
Notably, Odisha FC had finished last on the points table for ISL 2020-21 season after managing just 12 points from their 20 games.
When Villa was asked if he was tempted to come out of retirement and play inthe ISL, Villa said: “It was the first question of the people of Odisha!
“I took a decision a year ago to stop playing because I thought that was it was the [right] moment, not because I felt that I cannot play soccer anymore. I believe if I train I can play soccer for sure. But I thought that moment [when I decided to retire] was the right time. As you know, life is not just about soccer I am 39 and I played for 20 years as a soccer player,” it added.