Malaga : New Power in La Liga, The New Big Club - Football has become a wetland for wealthy investors to invest their capital. After Chelsea and Manchester City 'rises caste', now comes the turn of Malaga, the Spanish club landless become "the next big thing in football".Friday, June 11, 2010, a public Spanish football news shocked the club Malaga FC acquisition by conglomerate from Qatar, Sheikh Al-Thani. Surprise hit many people's minds, because this is the first time a Spanish football club bought a wealthy businessman from the Middle East. The Sheikh, it is usually preferred to 'play' in the Premier League, which many people say the hardest league in the world and the commercial.
Al Thani, 44, has a business empire in the United Arab Emirates, which employs about 3,000 people and operates in over 30 countries worldwide. Its business includes a series of hotels, shopping centers, mobile phone companies and buying and selling cars. He is also the vice president and shareholder of Doha Bank.
All the wealth that enabled him to spend around 36 million euros to smooth the process of negotiating the purchase of the club which lasted for four to five months. Amount of money sufficient to pay the debt at the same time the club was founded in 1948.
"Our goal is to help Malaga take the necessary steps to strengthen its presence in La Liga and to strengthen the hope and delight of the supporters club," said Al-Thani.
Malaga, the club for 30 years which often rise and fall of caste, had just returned to first division La Liga in 2008. In the 2009/2010 season, they were almost relegated before finally determined to continue competing in the major division on the final day of competition. At that time, they managed to sit in 17th position in the final league standings ladder. Coach Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz will also be responsible for this that led to the dismissal itself.
Jesualdo Ferreira, a successful coach brings Porto won the Portuguese league for three consecutive seasons, was recruited as his successor. Unfortunately after 10 games missed, he was only successful to bring the team to two victories. Missed half the season and Malaga are still stranded at position 18, aka the relegation zone. Al-Thani Ferreira lost his temper and was fired.
After that, the chair turned to former coach Real Madrid coach, Manuel Pellegrini. Men from Chile was moving quickly to bring Enzo Maresca, Martin Demichelis and Julio Baptista. Malaga had slowly crept into the top position and managed to end the season in 11th position.
Since the transfer window re-opens, Malaga with incessant targeting star players to move to La Rosaleda, the headquarters of the club. Until now present six international players are expected to help the team achieve its target into next season's Champions League zone, the target is not impossible can be achieved. Players are Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Joris Mathijsen, ISCO, Monreal, Jeremy Toulalan and Joaquin Sanchez.Malaga, even present as a serious rival Manchester United to get Wesley Sneijder from Inter Milan. Money amounting to 35 million pounds considered no big deal to bring the Dutch playmaker. Unfortunately, Sneijder firmly rejects interest Malaga and more interested in listening to offers from Manchester United.
The presence of Malaga as a serious challenger in the race for the champion title is believed many people would have a positive impact on the existence of La Liga and prestige in the eyes of the world. The dominance of Real Madrid and Barcelona that had been untouched as if other teams believed to be coming to an end within the next few years. This is in tune with the optimism Apono, Malaga midfielder, before the start of next season
"We know we are a team that was highlighted now. Who would have thought?" he told EFE.
"Malaga, Barcelona and Real Madrid is a new reference point in Spanish football. Win the La Liga next to impossible, but playing for a place in the Champions League is a realistic option. We have to focus through the games one by one," added the 27-year-old player .
Not only in the sector players, Malaga is also strengthening its management ranks by recruiting staff Fernando Hierro, Real Madrid and the Spanish legend, as his general manager. "This is a very ambitious project, awesome and exciting and I'm lucky to be in it. It's very exciting to Malaga, and I will try to help and collaborate so that this project can continue to grow," added Hierro.