Former Liverpool and Barcelona star Luis García has expressed his belief that Malaysian football is making significant strides forward, particularly as Johor Darul Ta'zim continues to impress in the Asian Champions League. In a revealing interview, García opened up about his unexpected emotional return to the sport and his current role as chief executive of the Malaysian club.
From Retirement to Tears: García's Unexpected Journey
When Luis García retired from professional football in 2016, he believed he had left behind the intense emotions that defined his playing career. "I was always very competitive and once I had left football, I thought I wasn't going to have those feelings I had before," García explained. He continued playing seven-a-side matches with friends but assumed the professional pressure and passion were gone forever.
However, everything changed in mid-February in Iskandar Puteri, Malaysia. Watching his players celebrate Johor Darul Ta'zim's historic victory over Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the Asian Champions League quarter-finals, García found himself overcome with emotion. "I didn't expect football to give me that again. But there I was, crying," he admitted.
The Historic Achievement
Johor Darul Ta'zim's 3-2 aggregate victory against Sanfrecce Hiroshima marked the first time a Malaysian club had reached the quarter-finals of Asia's premier club competition. The team now faces either Al-Ahli or Al-Duhail in Jeddah, with García accompanying them as their chief executive.
"When I saw them jumping with joy, having been with them every day, sharing the long journeys from Malaysia to Vietnam and back, on to Japan, and then saw them win I got that emotion again," García recalled of the historic moment.
A Different Kind of Football Role
García's transition from player to executive has been significant. While he still follows his former clubs Liverpool and Barcelona closely and plays for Liverpool's legends team, his focus has shifted to the business side of football. "I always preferred the business side of it to the on-pitch stuff because I suffered a lot on the pitch," he revealed.
After retirement, García prepared meticulously for his post-playing career, completing a UEFA master's program, sporting director courses, and coaching badges. However, he never felt drawn to coaching. "The idea of being a coach, being the other side of the line, all that pressure without being able to personally impact the game, didn't appeal," he explained.
The Malaysian Adventure
García's journey to Malaysia began with a surprising phone call from former player Kiko Insa, who connected him with Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the crown prince of Malaysia and owner of Johor Darul Ta'zim. "I just like new challenges, trying new things, something different, and this was one," García said of his decision to take the role.
He described the prince as "very active, inquisitive" and genuinely knowledgeable about football. Under the prince's ownership since 2013, Johor Darul Ta'zim has won twelve league titles and is ranked number one in southeast Asia by Opta.
Building a Football Powerhouse
As chief executive, García has been implementing structural improvements at the club. "There is work to do, real work," he emphasized. He travels to Malaysia for 10-14 days each month, working to understand the club's structure and implement the owner's vision.
The club has grown significantly, attracting 13,000 spectators for league matches and up to 30,000 for Champions League games. García highlighted the comprehensive structure now in place: "We have the full structure: coaches, analysis, assistants, fitness staff, dead ball, digital."
International Approach
Johor Darul Ta'zim boasts a diverse squad with players from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Korea, Portugal, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and even former Wolves midfielder Hong Wan from Croydon. The team plays a consistent 3-5-2 formation under coach Xisco Muñoz, formerly of Watford.
García particularly praised Malaysian talent Arif Aiman, calling him "the pearl of Malaysia" and suggesting he "could play in Europe easily."
Record-Breaking Success
The club's achievements extend beyond the Champions League. Johor Darul Ta'zim recently extended their unbeaten league run to 105 games, just three matches short of the world record. They've won the Malaysia Super League every year for a decade.
"Malaysian football is taking big steps," García asserted. "It's still a long way behind Europe, but Kuala Lumpur are working well, Kuching, Selangor ... we all need those teams to improve."
European Lessons Applied
García has brought lessons from his European experience to Malaysia, particularly emphasizing the intensity of work he observed in England. With the team playing approximately 70 games annually across multiple competitions, they maintain a squad of 37 players to manage the demanding schedule.
"People think: 'Meh, you're in Malaysia ...' But we have the full structure," García noted, challenging perceptions about football development in the region.
Personal Reflections
Throughout the interview, García reflected on his playing career, including his famous goal against Chelsea in the 2005 Champions League semi-final ("Yes, it went in") and memories of Liverpool's miraculous comeback in Istanbul. He still assembles dream teams in his mind, initially suggesting an eight-player seven-a-side team before realizing his mistake.
His diverse interests—playing piano and guitar, learning magic tricks with former Barcelona teammate Santi Ezquerro, and fascination with technology—have prepared him for this unconventional football journey. "I had always been curious about things," he explained. "So, whatever comes ..."
As Johor Darul Ta'zim continues their Asian Champions League campaign and approaches the world record for unbeaten league matches, García remains emotionally invested in their success. The tears he shed watching their historic victory demonstrate that, despite his executive role, the passion that defined his playing career remains very much alive.
