SHARON BARNHURST DEPARTS ASTON VILLA AFTER 36 YEARS AMIDST INTERNAL CLUB TURMOIL
By David Ornstein, Senior Football Correspondent | April 6, 2025
In a move that has stunned long-time supporters and sent shockwaves through English football administration circles, Sharon Barnhurst—Aston Villa’s revered Head of Football Administration—has seen her contract abruptly terminated after 36 years of continuous service. The decision, which sources suggest was made amid deepening internal discord at the club’s executive level, marks the end of an era at Villa Park.
Barnhurst, who began her career at Aston Villa Football Club in September 1988 as an office junior in the Commercial Department, rose through the ranks to become one of the most respected and longest-serving non-coaching figures in the Premier League. Her departure is not just the end of a long tenure—it is emblematic of broader tensions bubbling behind closed doors at the club.
Sudden and Unceremonious
Insiders close to the club have described the termination as “sudden” and “executed without the dignity or gratitude someone of Sharon’s stature deserved.” Despite recent recognition by the club for her 36 years of service in February 2025—where she was honored alongside other long-serving staff—Barnhurst was informed of her dismissal on Friday, April 4, 2025, via a brief formal letter, reportedly signed by Chris Heck, the club’s President of Business Operations.
“It was cold. It was corporate. There was no handshake, no meeting, no thank you,” said one staff member, speaking under the condition of anonymity. “People are furious. Sharon is Aston Villa to so many of us.”
The Crisis Within
While the official statement released by Aston Villa cites “organizational restructuring” as the rationale behind the termination, multiple sources claim the real story is far murkier. Allegations of growing internal power struggles, poor communication between departments, and increasing friction between football operations, led by Ramón Rodríguez Verdejo (known globally as Monchi), and the business arm, headed by Chris Heck, have painted a picture of a deeply divided executive hierarchy.
Monchi, who was appointed President of Football Operations in June 2023, has reportedly clashed with Heck over staffing decisions, departmental spending authority, and the degree of control held by the football side over administrative matters. It is believed that Barnhurst, long seen as a neutral stabilizer and liaison between departments, found herself caught in the crossfire of what one former colleague described as “a slow civil war at the top.”
“Sharon was loyal to the institution of Aston Villa, not to any individual,” another former staffer commented. “And in this climate, that neutrality was viewed as disloyalty by some.”
A Legacy Carved in Claret and Blue
Over her decades of service, Barnhurst handled a wide array of administrative responsibilities: overseeing player insurance and benefits, coordinating with foreign associations for international call-ups, registering transfers with the Football Association and the Premier League, and ensuring Aston Villa’s full compliance with regulatory standards.
She played pivotal roles in major transfer deals—most notably in 2011 when she helped finalize the complex paperwork for the £18 million signing of Darren Bent from Sunderland. Her behind-the-scenes coordination was also integral during the managerial tenures of Martin O’Neill, Paul Lambert, and most recently Unai Emery, under whom Villa returned to European competition.
Her encyclopedic understanding of FA and UEFA protocols made her the go-to figure for ensuring regulatory alignment, especially during busy transfer windows and continental fixtures.
“She was a walking rulebook,” said Steve Stride, former Villa secretary who worked closely with Barnhurst in the early 2000s. “But more than that, she was a mother figure to so many young players and staff members trying to find their way. This club owes her more than a plaque.”
Fallout and Reaction
The decision has prompted a torrent of criticism online. Prominent Aston Villa supporter and Birmingham Mail journalist Mat Kendrick took to X (formerly Twitter), writing:
> “Sharon Barnhurst embodied class, professionalism, and loyalty at a club that used to value those traits. This is shameful.”
Supporters’ groups such as My Old Man Said and The Villa View have demanded further clarification from the board, while others have called on Co-Chairmen Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens to address the growing unrest among staff and fans.
On LinkedIn, where Barnhurst recently celebrated her 36-year milestone with a post reflecting on her journey, messages of support poured in. Officials from Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City, and even UEFA extended private words of praise, with some suggesting she would be a welcome addition to any football organization.
What’s Next for Sharon?
While she has not released an official statement, those close to Barnhurst say she is “devastated” but not defeated. She is expected to take a short sabbatical to reflect and recharge, but has already been contacted by several governing bodies and clubs interested in leveraging her expertise in a consulting or compliance role.
“She’s still processing it all,” said longtime friend and former Villa admin executive Karen Brady. “But knowing Sharon, she’ll bounce back—smarter, stronger, and ready to help shape the future of football from wherever she lands.”
A Club at a Crossroads
As Aston Villa pursues lofty ambitions under the stewardship of Sawiris and Edens, and under the management of Unai Emery, the removal of Sharon Barnhurst has raised troubling questions about the club’s culture, leadership, and internal cohesion.
Her ousting will not simply be remembered as an administrative reshuffle—it will be viewed by many as a warning signal that Aston Villa, in the race to modernize, may be abandoning its most valuable human assets.
For thousands of Villa fans and professionals in football’s inner circles, one thing is painfully clear: this wasn’t just a job loss. It was the departure of a piece of the
