Johor bring in the Spanish armada

Johor FA president Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim (centre) with JDT new manager Cesar Ferrando Jimenez (left) and Spanish forward Braulio Nobrega Rodriquez (right) speak during a press conference at the Larkin Stadium in Johor Baru on Wednesday.

JOHOR BARU: The Spanish armada is set to “invade” Malaysian football. The Johor FA (JFA) yesterday unveiled two new Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) signings – manager Cesar Ferran­do Jimenez and forward Braulio Nobrega Rodriquez.

JFA president Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim said that Jimenez would officially take over the JDT hot seat once the Malaysia Cup campaign is over.

He added that the former Atletico Madrid and Valencia boss had years of experience managing top Spanish clubs and would be able to take JDT to a higher level.

“In my view, JDT’s season was over when we failed to qualify for the AFC Cup following the draw against Selangor in the last game of the Malaysia League,” he said.

“He (Jimenez) has already been here for the last couple of days watching and studying the players that we have as well as our opponents in a bid to create a team that will be able to win trophies.”

Tunku Ismail said this after the signing of Jimenez and Rodriquez at the Larkin Stadium here yesterday.

He also said that there would also be changes within JDT as the JFA had appointed two more Spaniards – Andres Tevar as tactical coach and a fitness trainer.

He also revealed that JDT would make some changes to the squads so as to ensure that the team will be a force in the local football scene.

Asked if JDT would sign any Asean player as their third foreign import, Tunku Ismail singled out Singapore footballer Harris Harun as a player wanted by Jimenez.

“Besides, three Harimau Muda players will be back in Johor and will play for us next season, which I promise will be an interesting one,” he said.