Monchi has explained swapping Sevilla for Aston Villa.
The highly-regarded sporting director surprisingly quit Sevilla for Villa at the end of last season.
He explained to Marca: "It has been a very important change in my life. I have left a club where I have spent practically my entire professional career to a new championship and a new club.
"The impression I had before taking the step, when we contacted Dami and Unai to see what the chances were of reaching Birmingham were good, once I arrived I was very happy. There are enough tools to be able to try to build a nice project. There's a good base from last year, from the time Emery arrived. You have to take advantage of that base and that confidence of the coaching staff to prop up the project and continue to grow.
"Rather than fighting (for titles), the first thing to do is settle down and build a base from which to start climbing. I don't believe much in increases from one day to the next. That causes big falls. We must prop up and give solidity and guarantees to what has been built. The goal always has to be the maximum possible. The higher we aspire, the higher we can reach. But always with coherent arguments and without selling smoke."