Welcome, Luis Garcia. 

Our new manager spoke with club media for the first time since his appointment on June 22 and outlined his vision for the future, reasons for joining, his previous time on the island and what we can expect under the Asturian coach. Find out what he had to say below.

Back on the island. How are you approaching this return?

“First and foremost, with great enthusiasm, eager to get to work, to get to know the players, and to reconnect with an incredible fan base. Ultimately, as a human being, you always try to return to places where you’ve felt good, where you’ve been comfortable and happy. And the truth is that once you become a coach, this is undoubtedly a special place for me because I had a great time there, because they treated me very well, and because even though I was only there for one season, it was a very, very intense one. So I’m really excited.”

How do you remember that time here?

"It was a very tough season. It was right after Samuel Eto'o left—he was a true icon for Mallorca fans—and we were full of hope, but the season didn’t start off on the right foot. We had a coaching change, and I remember some comments Héctor Cúper made halfway through the season—or almost at the end—saying that we’d have to see if we could finish the season with dignity. But we did do one thing very well: we came together, united as a team, and believed until the very end—thanks also to our fans. There’s no doubt that their support was absolutely essential, and they pushed us to secure a historic survival on the final matchday against Betis.” 

Since you brought it up, what would you highlight about Héctor Cúper?

“He’s a leader. To be honest, I’ve been lucky enough to share certain moments with him since then. I even saw him at the Asian Cup, when he was the national team coach. A leader, a person who was straightforward, who told you things clearly. I had a great relationship with him when I was a player, and he’s a coach I admire immensely.” 

Clearly, RCD Mallorca has changed a lot since 2005. What have you heard about what Mallorca is like today?

"Above all, that it has evolved a lot in terms of infrastructure. Without a doubt, the stadium is a pressure cooker. I think it’s incredibly important to have our fans close by because we really felt their absence that season when the track was so far away. I’m really looking forward to experiencing it now, with them right there cheering us on. Hopefully we’ll be able to get them excited, help them identify with the team, and together we’ll achieve great things.”

Let’s talk about the present. Why did you decide to join this project?

“The truth is that I’m really excited—as I told you—to return to what I consider my home, where I had such a great time in just one year. I think this is a wonderful and inspiring project. The ownership has invested a lot of money in the team. They’ve spent five consecutive seasons in the First Division, which is truly a difficult feat. And we’re approaching this season with a sense of responsibility, ambition, and, above all, a great deal of enthusiasm.”

What did you discuss with Pablo Ortells and the sports management? 

"Above all, that this is a very ambitious project. Regardless of the fact that the club, unfortunately, is currently in the Second Division, the goal of this project is to reach the First Division and to grow. We have to take it step by step; we need to build a competitive roster for the Second Division, knowing that it’s a truly difficult league. The fact is that none of the last six teams that were relegated over the past two years have been promoted, so we have to have a lot of respect for the league, be very enthusiastic, work extremely hard, and be more humble than anyone else.”

What kind of Mallorca do you want to see?

“Above all, a team that takes the initiative, that wants the ball, that wants to play, that plays direct when necessary, that knows how to defend, that’s aggressive—and that tries to defend as far away from our goal as possible. Kind of like modern soccer. It’s clear that there’s a lot of work ahead of us. We don’t even know yet what our roster will look like; we have to build it little by little, but I think everyone is very excited about building a project that will win a lot of games and inspire our fans."

What will be the key to trying to get back to the First Division?

"I think there are several. The first is maintaining mental balance, because this is a league where streaks are very common. You might win several games in a row, and then you can’t seem to win, and that can make you doubt yourself. The key to everything is maintaining balance and, above all, being a team that stays united with its fans from the first day to the last. That’s very important. We all need to be fully aware that this division is extremely tough, that any team can beat any other, regardless of budgets or players. It’s all very close; it comes down to the little things, and from the very first day of preseason, that’s something we have to instill in the players. They need to know that this division isn’t the same one Mallorca was promoted from five years ago.”

What would you say to the Mallorca fans?

“The first thing is to understand them, because in the end, getting relegated is always tough—especially for a club as important as Mallorca. That disappointment is normal, but right now we’re starting a new project, and we’re starting with a lot of enthusiasm and excitement. I want them to cheer on the team, to stand by the players—we’re convinced that together we’re so much stronger.”