Real Madrid legend Isco accuses Aston Villa chief of ‘grabbing him by the neck before pair had to be separated’
SPANISH star Isco has sensationally accused Aston Villa chief Monchi of grabbing him by the NECK in an incredible bust-up.
The former Real Madrid star, 31, has been a free agent since his contract at Sevilla was torn up after just three months.
Isco lasted just four months at the Spanish giants after ending his trophy-laden stint at the Bernabeu.
The 38-cap international has been a free agent since December 2022, with his proposed free transfer to Union Berlin collapsing in January.
And now Isco has revealed exactly what led to his shock Sevilla exit in an explosive interview with Marca.
The attacking midfielder revealed he signed for the Seville giants after then-boss Julen Lopetegui told him he “loved him” as a player.
But it quickly became apparent then-sporting director Monchi – who’s now serving as president of football operations at Aston Villa – did NOT want him at the club.
Isco told Marca: “They fire Julen… but when he leaves and the winter market window approaches, I see many strange things within the club.
“To begin with, they called my agent to find a way out for me, without previously discussing anything with me.
“As soon as I found out I went to speak directly with Monchi.
“I told him: “Listen, this has come to me, I don’t know what’s going on, I don’t know if you love me, if you don’t love me… Be honest with me and we’ll fix it without problems. I’m at your disposal.’
“After that conversation, Monchi started saying that I wanted to leave, something that was not true, and he began to call both me and my lawyer every day, harassing us to sign the termination.
“So I went to talk to him again and told him: ‘Look Monchi, you are not being honest with me or with the people you tell things to. I want to stay and you keep saying that I want to go.”
“And then there was a bit of conflict…”
Isco incredibly alleged the pair came to blows and had to be separated by security after a verbal spat turned physical.
He went on: “I told [Monchi] that he was the most deceitful person I had ever met in the world of football and he attacked me.
“He came towards me, took me by the neck and security had to separate us completely.
“As you will understand, after that, I did not want to continue there under any circumstances.
“And although I was sorry, because I had a very good relationship with my team-mates and the fans treated me wonderfully, I couldn’t be comfortable in a club where the sports director attacks me and nobody speaks up or apologises.
“Not because of the aggression, not because of all the lies he was leaking. So I forgave my contract and left.
“Overcoming the barrier of violence is not something that I could let go.”
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Isco went on to reveal the fight not only hurt his career, but also his family life – having uprooted his three children from their life in Madrid to head south.
The midfielder continued: “I went home very hurt, because in the end… I went to the club because Lopetegui had called me, telling me that he loved me, that he loved me, that there was a good team… I was delighted.
“I lowered my salary four times compared to what I earned at Madrid and when I arrived, people from the club told me that Monchi did not agree with my signing.
“I had been in Seville for four months, after moving with three children.
“You suddenly see yourself with doubts about what is going to happen, where we are going to go, the schools…
“It’s complicated, but you have to be strong and look ahead.”
Isco has now revealed in the interview that he is working with a personal trainer in a bid to find a new club.
But with no team-mates to get fit with, he heartbreakingly claimed he no longer “feels like a footballer”.
With clubs around Europe starting their pre-season, Isco has shared his desperation to find a new home.
After his Sevilla nightmare, he’s claimed he values “continuity” and “fun” above all else.
SunSport have contacted Monchi for comment.