Luis García (footballer, born 1972)


Luis García Plaza is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a central defender, and the manager of Saudi club Al-Shabab FC.

Playing career

In his career, García never played in higher than Segunda División B. Born in Madrid, he finished his development at Atlético Madrid and, after three seasons with its reserves, moved to Yeclano CF, where he coincided with José Luis Oltra and Paulino.
Still in the Madrid community, García then represented Rayo Vallecano B, completing his sole season with the club on loan at Talavera CF. In 1996, he signed with Benidorm CF, playing with the Alicante side four years.
García was forced to retire due to injury in 2000, at only 27.

Coaching career

García took up coaching in 2001, starting with amateurs UD Altea and moving after two years to another club in the Valencian Community, Villajoyosa CF in the third level, remaining there for a further two seasons.
In 2005–06, after a very brief spell at Altea, García led Villarreal CF's reserves to the Tercera División championship, but the team failed to gain promotion in the subsequent playoffs. Afterwards, he signed with Elche CF in Segunda División – and also in the Valencia region – being sacked on 7 January 2007 following a 1–1 home draw against Cádiz CF.
After one year with former club Benidorm, García was appointed at Levante UD, helping to a return to La Liga after a three-year absence in his second season. In the following campaign he led the side to the 14th place, the home highlights being a 2–0 win over Atlético Madrid and home draws with Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
On 8 June 2011, García signed for Getafe for three years. He coached the capital outskirts team to the 11th position in his debut season, finishing one better the following year.
García was relieved of his duties on 10 March 2014, after Getafe only collected four draws in 12 games. In the following two seasons, he worked in the UAE First Division League with Baniyas Club.
In June 2017, García was appointed as manager of China League One club Beijing Renhe F.C. on a five-month agreement. He coached the team to promotion back to the Super League in his first season, collecting 13 wins, two draws and three losses; on 9 November, he extended his contract.
García returned to Villarreal on 10 December 2018, replacing sacked Javier Calleja at the helm of the first team. After only one month in charge, and no league wins, he too was relieved of his duties.
On 9 July 2019, García headed back to Beijing Renhe following the relegation of Aleksandar Stanojević. He left on 18 November following their relegation, having won none and drawn two of 11 games. Before the end of the year, he found a new job at Al-Shabab FC, ninth in the Saudi Professional League.

Managerial statistics