REUTERS
Xabi Alonso reunited with his former Liverpool teammate Luis Garcia as Chelsea drew 3-3 with Malaysian side Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in a friendly on Sunday. The two Spaniards were both signed by Rafael Benitez on the same day back in August 2004.
Garcia Alonso
"He is one of the best coaches in the world," said Garcia, who played 122 games for Liverpool and won the 2005 Champions League. "And all the quality and calmness he brought for us as a player for Liverpool, he shares on the training ground. Chelsea have pulled off a very exciting hire."
While Alonso's coaching path has taken him to Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid and now Chelsea, Garcia is currently Johor Darul Ta'zim's chief executive officer, a role that sees him work closely with coach Xisco Munoz.
Alonso on Johor Darul Ta'zim role
Luis Garcia
"I have been in my current role for over a year," said Garcia, speaking exclusively to GiveMeSport. "I was told that the JDT owner, His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail Idris, wanted to speak with me about a job, and I was hooked immediately after that meeting because his passion and commitment for the club were clear. He never misses a match even though he's busy with all his Crown Prince of Johor duties as well.
"When I finished playing, I tried a lot of things, and I quickly realised my connection with football was about far more than just being on the bench. I got my coaching licence, but also my sporting director badge. And then, over time, I started getting qualified in the business of football. I was fortunate because I got to travel around and learn from Peter Moore and Billy Hogan as part of my ambassador role at Liverpool and that gave me an appetite to move into the boardroom. This job was perfect because it is a chance to not just help JDT succeed but also grow football in Malaysia."
JOHAR
JDT are the dominant force in Malaysia, having won 12 straight Malaysian Super League titles. And it is perhaps no surprise they drew with Chelsea given they are currently on an astonishing 108-game unbeaten run in the league, equalling the 32-year record set by Ivory Coast side ASEC Mimosas between 1989 and 1994. Avoiding defeat against Kuching City on August 21 when the new season begins will set a new world record.
"We are proud to go unbeaten for so long and excited to hopefully set a new world record," said Garcia. "Our success has taken a lot of hard work. And we are equally proud of the fact we reached the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League last season. Our dominance stems from support from His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail Idris and the fact we have built the right foundations. The club has an outstanding infrastructure.
"We have an excellent academy where young Malaysian talents can evolve. And we have had some foreign players who have made an impact and acted as mentors. For example, Pablo Aimar was here a few years back, as was Jordi Amat, and now we have Brazilians Marcos Guilherme and Yago and several players from Spain, including our goalkeeper Jon Irazabal. Our squad mix and chemistry has been key to our success."
Garcia meets with Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali
Johor Darul Ta'zim
Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali met with both Garcia and Idris ahead of Sunday's friendly and GMS understands the trio discussed potential partnership ideas and ways Chelsea and JDT could work more closely together going forward.
JDT are now hoping to build a platform to go even further in the Asian Champions League and play their own part in helping Malaysia one day qualify for the World Cup. JDT's squad includes Malaysian striker Mohamadou Sumareh, promising midfielder Ziad El Basheer and veteran keeper Syihan Hazmi.
"With the World Cup expanding, Malaysia can dream of appearing at the tournament for the first time," said Garcia. "The stronger the Malaysian Super League is, the better chance there is of this happening. I've only been here just over a year and the feeling is, why can't Malaysia qualify for a World Cup? That has to be the goal."
Garcia backs Alonso to succeed at Chelsea
Luis Garcia
Garcia still keeps a keen eye on the Premier League and is backing former teammate Alonso to succeed at Chelsea. Chelsea have already backed Alonso in the market, spending £117m on Morgan Rogers and also adding full-back Marco Palestra, centre-back Maxence Lacroix, midfielder Jordan Henderson and striker Danny Welbeck. Valentin Barco has also joined from Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg, while Geovany Quenda arrived from Sporting in a deal that was pre-agreed last summer. And Pep Chavarria is close to signing from Rayo Vallecano in a deal worth around £19m.
"I think it was difficult for Xabi at Real Madrid, but it can happen like that there," said Garcia, who played 39 times for Barcelona. "It is not always an easy place to manage, and I don't think Xabi was given enough time in Madrid.
"Chelsea is a special job for Xabi and I think he has got the power to decide on transfers and build a team with his own identity. He's not just a coach but a manager, and maybe now has the same kind of control [in the market] as he had at Leverkusen. Like at Leverkusen, there are also young and hungry players at Chelsea. I expect him to get the best out of that talent. I'm really excited to see him managing in the Premier League, and I'm sure that he's going to do a good job."
Garcia has high hopes for Liverpool
REUTERS
Alonso also has high hopes for his former club Liverpool, despite an indifferent season under Arne Slot that ultimately cost the Dutch manager his job. Andoni Iraola has taken charge and Liverpool are expected to be active in the market this month. Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo is the latest player to join on a season-long loan with an option to buy, and talks are ongoing for PSG winger Bradley Barcola.
Garcia believes Liverpool's recruitment last summer, which saw them add Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, will pay dividends this season regardless of who else arrives.
"I am 100 per cent confident in Liverpool because the talent is there," said Garcia. "I see no reason why they can't rival Arsenal and Manchester City for the title.
"The talent they have doesn't just disappear overnight. Of course, they need to replace Mo Salah, who is a big loss. You are losing 30-35 goals per season. Ekitike showed last season when fit how clinical he can be, and Isak is one of the most prolific strikers in the league. Ryan Gravenberch and Dominic Szoboszlai will also prove important players.
"For whatever reason, it just didn't click last season, but I can still see a very positive season ahead with Liverpool fighting for every trophy."