From facing the legendary Galácticos of Real Madrid to helping shape Ajax's future, Spanish coach Carlos García sits down with us for an exclusive look at his remarkable journey in football.
It's been a turbulent season for Ajax. After a heartbreaking late-season collapse handed the Eredivisie title to PSV Eindhoven in 2024-25, the Amsterdam giants are fighting to regain their footing. Currently sitting fourth in the league, they trail a Champions League spot by just four points with only three matches remaining—and they're on their third manager of the season.
Enter Carlos García, the new assistant manager ready to tackle the uphill battle of restoring Ajax to its former glory. Born on April 29, 1984, in Barcelona, García's love for football was instant. Rejected by both FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol's youth academies, he refused to give up. He impressed at a local academy, earned a spot on the Catalan regional side, and eventually caught Espanyol's attention. From there, he climbed through the youth ranks for both club and country.
García's international career is nothing short of impressive. He starred alongside future legends Fernando Torres and Andrés Iniesta at the 2001 UEFA European Under-16 Championship in England, helping Spain claim their first title. He then played twice at the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Trinidad & Tobago. Two years later, he logged nearly every minute of the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship, where Spain narrowly fell to Brazil in the final in the United Arab Emirates.
Breaking into Espanyol's first team, García made his debut against icons like Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, and Ronaldo. His second appearance came against eventual champions Valencia. But seeking regular playing time, he moved to Polideportivo Ejido in the second division, then to Almería, where he helped Spain secure their first-ever gold medal at the 2005 Mediterranean Games.
"I think there's a very big difference between La Liga and other leagues," García reflects, drawing on a career that spanned elite competition and resilient comebacks—qualities he now hopes to instill in Ajax's next generation.