Garcia Hails Alonso Reunion as Chelsea Visit JDT — SkimNews
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- Luis Garcia, now chief executive of Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), will reunite with Xabi Alonso when Chelsea visit the 40,000-capacity Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Sunday for the final leg of their pre-season tour
- Garcia and Alonso both signed for Liverpool under Rafael Benitez in 2004 and started together in the Champions League final win over AC Milan that season, per the BBC Sport interview
- JDT are on a world record-equalling 108-game domestic unbeaten run — last losing in 2021 — with Garcia eyeing an extension when the Malaysian Super League restarts in August
- JDT reached the AFC Champions League quarter-finals last season despite operating on a $15m budget against opponents with $150m+ budgets, Garcia told BBC Sport
- Garcia holds a Uefa Pro Licence and sporting director licence, and has recruited Spanish coaches across JDT's academy and backroom staff, modelling the club's training base on Real Madrid's
- Garcia publicly backs Alonso at Chelsea but jokes: 'even though I love him, hopefully he ends up second to Liverpool next season'
Why it matters: JDT's story highlights how far Malaysian football has come — a 108-game unbeaten domestic run, a Champions League quarter-final on a $15m budget against $150m+ opponents, and elite facilities built on a Spanish coaching blueprint. For Chelsea, the Malaysia trip is Alonso's final tune-up before his Premier League debut as manager.
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