New Bani Yas coach Luis Garcia has revealed he turned down a “serious offer” from a Spanish club in order to continue his football education in the UAE.
The former Getafe and Levante coach revealed he had been approached by an unnamed team in his homeland just 24 hours before agreeing to lead Al Samawi next season.
Garcia was officially unveiled in the capital last night, having put pen to paper on a two-year contract with the Arabian Gulf League club.
Having gone through nine coaches in the last four seasons, Bani Yas are hopeful the appointment of Garcia can give the club stability in the dug-out.
“Twenty-four hours before signing with Bani Yas there was a serious offer from Spain but I chose to take a new experience,” the 41-year-old said.
“I am always interested in new ideas and want to know about football in different cultures and countries.
“That’s why I took the challenge to come here, and my aim is to learn about the players and the way they play.
“Then I want to use what I know and share what I have experienced at other teams and put that in Bani Yas.”
Garcia has been tasked with delivering Bani Yas a top-four finish in the AGL next season.
He will initially take a hands-off approach to the first-team as they compete in a friendly tournament on home soil this weekend, in order to assess his squad.
However, when he does assume full control he is keen to see his ideas implemented by the academy as well as senior players as he bids for long-term success.
“My aim is to realise something during this season,” he added.
“I have lots of goals but I cannot promise anything because I don’t have a magic stick. We have to be optimistic, and work not only with the first team.
“We must also focus on the academy too, because that gives benefits to the first team in the future.”
Garcia is seen as the ideal candidate to stem the tide of managerial casualties at Bani Yas due to his success in Spain with Levante and Getafe.
He spent three years at each, turning both into comfortable Primera Division sides, before a dreadful run at the latter cost him his job in March.
“He is a young coach who shares our vision,” first team manager, Mohammed Aida said.
“Some of our technical members went to Spain and sat with Luis and found that he was the most suitable candidate for us. He understands our situation, and we told him our mission.
“I hope we can help him to achieve our target.”
Garcia is set for a reunion in Abu Dhabi with his former Getafe prodigy, Al Jazira’s Abdelaziz Barrada, with the Spaniard describing it as an honour to previously coach the Morocco star.
