The 55-year-old, who spent over two decades as sporting director at Sevilla before spells at AS Roma and a return to the Andalusian club, was appointed as Espanyol's director general of sport by owner Alan Pace and attended his first in-depth interview with the club's official media this week, touching on the squad, the manager, the market and the long-term plan.
His decision to get involved during the closing weeks of the season — a particularly sensitive period given that one of the clubs fighting relegation against Espanyol was his former club Sevilla — was something he addressed directly.
"By honesty and respect to the institution and to the person who had placed their trust in me, Alan Pace, I had to step forward.
"I did so at a difficult moment, even personally, because one of the teams Espanyol were fighting was Sevilla — but I owed it to the trust Alan placed in me."
He described the atmosphere he found at the club when arriving as one of excessive negativity, which he moved quickly to address — starting with a frank conversation with head coach Manolo González.
"There was a nebula, excessive negativity, many doubts and uncertainty. I spoke with the president and took the decision I believed was most correct. The first person I communicated it to was Manolo. I conveyed total confidence in him at a moment that was not easy, and then tried to transmit to the world that that confidence was not fictitious but real. I have not come here to take easy decisions — I have come to take decisions that can add to the growth of the club."
The planning process has already begun. Monchi confirmed he and González have mapped out the squad profiles they intend to pursue, with physical robustness a clear priority.
"I believe the team is lacking a little physicality. Manolo agrees. We are going to try because there will be matches where we need to be stronger — at set pieces, where we lack a little height, and in terms of having more consistency."
He is also clear that roster space is as pressing a challenge as budget. With 27 first-team players currently under contract, exits are necessary before arrivals can begin.
"It is not only an economic issue but a space issue. We need to free space, find income through sales or savings so that our salary limit gives us room to make the squad as competitive as possible."
On the broader project, Monchi offered a measured assessment of what Espanyol's brand can currently offer in the market — and said he has been pleasantly surprised.
"It is gratifying that the Real Club Deportivo Espanyol brand is a loved, recognised and desirable brand. I have not needed to use much narrative — by city, by club, by seriousness, there is a word-of-mouth that is fundamental. People are believing in the project. Now we need to consolidate this with actions."
He was equally candid about the relationship with Pace and what he expects from it.
"Alan has not promised me anything that is unreal — that is why I liked him. I like people who speak clearly and he did from the first moment. I do not think there will be any falling out because nothing we said to each other will go unfulfilled. After that, there is a judge — and that judge is results."
The objective is clear: consolidate Espanyol in the top half of La Liga and build a squad capable of making the club's supporters look upward rather than over their shoulder.