Michael Henke joins Paul Lambert at Aston Villa in head scout role

Published on 16/08/2012 00:00

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has drawn on his German connections by bringing in Michael Henke as the club’s new head of European scouting.

Former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich assistant manager Henke will head up Villa’s European network in an overall structure that has been developed over the past two years.

As part of the move the experienced German is reunited with Lambert who signed for Dortmund from Motherwell in 1996 and went on to win the Champions League with the Bundesliga club the following year.

Lambert said: “It’s great to have a man with Michael’s experience and track record to come in to this role and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to bring him here.”

The Scot added: “Michael has been successful with two great clubs in Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, working with Ottmar Hitzfeld, and together bringing Champions League success and a succession of Bundesliga titles to both clubs.

“In the European game he has an unbelievable wealth of experience and an enviable network of contacts. It’s a great thing for Villa that we have been able to attract a man of his calibre.”

Henke said: “This is a similar role to one I held at Bayern when Jurgen Klinsmann became manager and I am looking forward to helping identify players who will enhance Villa.

“Our objective will be to identify young players who have a good future and a good mentality.

“The Bundesliga has good youth Academies but our analysis of players will include other leagues, including Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, France, Spain and other countries.”

Villa have also confirmed they are in “advanced talks” with Rennes about midfielder Jean Makoun joining the Ligue 1 side on a season-long loan.

The Cameroon international joined Villa from Lyon during the January 2011 transfer window in a £6 million deal.

However, the 29-year-old struggled to make an impact in the Premier League under then Villa manager Gerard Houllier.

He was loaned out to Greek side Olympiakos last season and now looks set for another temporary switch away from Villa Park.

Meanwhile, QPR defender Max Ehmer has signed a contract extension that will keep him at Loftus Road until 2016.

The 20-year-old German has been at QPR since 2003 and progressed through the youth system, although he is yet to make his first-team debut for the Rs.

Ehmer, who has played on loan at both Yeovil and Preston, said: “I’m really pleased. I’ve been in and around the first team over the last few years and now I want to step that up a level.”