SPORTS - Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) chief executive officer Luis Garcia revealed that the ideas of the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, were a key factor that attracted him to join the Southern Tigers family.
Reflecting on his early days with the Malaysian League giants, Garcia admitted he was drawn to a new challenge and was impressed by Tunku Mahkota Ismail’s vision.
“Last year, I received a call to meet Tunku Mahkota Ismail, who owns the club.
“I’ve always liked challenges and something different. When I met him and heard his ideas, they were truly impressive.
“He is very active and always eager to learn,” he told international media outlet, The Guardian.
The Liverpool legend also shared his admiration for Tunku Mahkota Ismail’s footballing talent after having the opportunity to play alongside him in a friendly match.
“I’ve seen him play in a match with Robert Pires and Ludovic Giuly. He scored a fantastic goal and even provided me with an assist.
“He truly understands the game and knows what he wants,” he said.
Speaking on JDT’s progress, Garcia stressed that the transformation led by Tunku Mahkota Ismail since 2013 has placed the Southern Tigers on the global football map, with a record 12 consecutive league titles and recognition by Opta as the number one team in Southeast Asia.
When asked why he was chosen to lead JDT’s management, Garcia said his extensive experience across three different continents was a key factor.
“He wanted someone with a football background and a different vision.
“I come every month for 10 days to two weeks to understand the structure and contribute ideas. We are always looking for ways to achieve our targets,” he said.
Beyond on-field success, Garcia also highlighted the importance of community engagement and global branding efforts being strengthened by JDT.
“We get around 13,000 fans for league matches and about 30,000 for AFC Champions League games, among the highest in Asia and we are working to grow that further while building connections with the community.
“We want people to come and be part of it. There are visits to schools and hospitals.
“Sponsors like Nike and Toyota are involved. The sporting director evaluates players, we travel a lot together and I stay in touch with the operations manager. All of this is based on my experience from places I’ve been,” he added.