Garcia hopes long-term friend Alonso’s Chelsea finish second to Liverpool

Chelsea new boss Xabi Alonso will reunite with former Liverpool teammate Luis Garcia when the English team concludes their pre-season tour in Malaysia. Garcia holds the role of chief executive for Johor Darul Ta'zim, the Malaysian football outfit hosting Chelsea at their 40,000-capacity Sultan Ibrahim Stadium. The two Spaniards have a long-standing friendship dating back to 2004 when they both joined Liverpool under the guidance of Rafael Benitez.

Despite facing off multiple times in Spanish football, they first encountered each other in person at Anfield during Liverpool's 2005 Champions League triumph over AC Milan. Garcia has expressed his admiration for Alonso, noting that the Chelsea manager is set for a challenging friendly after a series of high-profile games across Australia and Asia against European clubs like Tottenham, Juventus, and AC Milan.

While Garcia wishes Alonso success at Chelsea, he hopes the Chelsea captain finishes second to Liverpool in the upcoming season. JDT has been unbeaten domestically since 2021 and boasts a world-record-equalling 108-game streak. The team's owner, Crown Prince Ismail Tunku, has invested heavily in the club, constructing a state-of-the-art training facility modeled after Real Madrid's renowned White House base.

Garcia, who maintains a dual presence in both Spain and Malaysia, holds UEFA Pro and Sporting Director licenses, with responsibilities extending beyond coaching to commercial activities and overall planning. The Malaysian football club aims to break more domestic unbeaten records and increase the standard of Malaysian football by fostering a top-tier academy with Spanish coaches.