Luis Garcia Oversees Record Unbeaten Run in Malaysia, Reflects on Coaching Carousel

Former Liverpool and Barcelona winger Luis Garcia is currently at the helm of a historic footballing achievement in Malaysia, overseeing Johor Darul Ta'zim's (JDT) world-record 113-game unbeaten run in domestic competitions. Garcia, who joined JDT as chief executive, is working alongside manager Xisco Munoz to maintain the team's dominance.

Garcia likened his current role to a "miracle," drawing parallels to Liverpool's 2005 Champions League final comeback. He explained his transition into football executive work after his playing career, having previously engaged in ambassadorial roles for Liverpool and Barcelona and media work with ESPN. His move to Malaysia was prompted by a meeting with the local crown prince, where he was presented with a vision for JDT.

"The amount of work, commitment and determination to make JDT the biggest club in south-east Asia is incredible," Garcia stated. He highlighted the club's consistent success, including 12 consecutive league titles and a quarter-final appearance in the Asian Champions League. Garcia described JDT as operating like a European club, with its academy led by Spanish coaches. He is focused on growing the sport in the region and elevating JDT's status to compete with Saudi Arabian clubs in the Asian Champions League.

JDT's recent league campaign saw them score 117 goals in 24 games, conceding only 10. Garcia is also involved in commercial aspects, securing deals with partners like Nike, Hublot, and Toyota, and is launching a fan engagement app called JDT+ to provide behind-the-scenes access.

Beyond his current role, Garcia reflected on his iconic "ghost goal" in Liverpool's 2005 Champions League semi-final against Chelsea. He also shared his thoughts on current football management, particularly the trend of Spanish coaches succeeding in the Premier League. He expressed optimism about fellow Spaniard Andoni Iraola's potential at Liverpool, noting his attractive style of play.

Garcia also discussed his former Liverpool teammate Xabi Alonso, whom he hosted for a friendly match in Johor. "Xabi could deliver his fantastic knowledge of the game. Once again he has a brilliant opportunity in front of him and I am sure he will do a great job," Garcia said, anticipating Alonso's success at Chelsea, despite acknowledging the challenges of managing a large team. He believes Alonso's philosophy will eventually lead Chelsea back to the top four.