Been there, done that: Xisco Munoz guided Watford to promotion to the English Premier League in 2021. — Huesca
PETALING JAYA: Former international Xisco Munoz of Spain is seen as the likely candidate to replace Hector Bidoglio of Venezuela as the new head coach for Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT).
Reliable sources, including the Spanish media, are saying that Munoz, a former winger with Valencia and Real Betis, is the man for the job.
It looks to be true as he has close connections with JDT’s chief executive officer (CEO) Luis Garcia and has decent credentials to be the main tactician for JDT.
Since 2017, the 44-year-old Munoz has coached Georgian club Dinamo Tblisi (2020), English sides Watford (2020-2021) and Sheffield Wednesday (2023), Spanish Segunda club Huesca (2021-2022), Cypriot top division club Anorthosis Famagusta (2022-2023) and most recently Slovakian First League club Dunajska Streda.
He won the League with Tbilisi in 2020, and finished second with Watford in the Championships, which saw them getting promoted to the Premier League for the 2021-2022 season.
Munoz also has dropped hints.
In an interview with a Spanish media Relevo, he said: “I also like being adventurous and I like finding new challenges and new ways of watching football in other countries.”
Joining JDT would be his first stint outside of Europe but he would not face any trouble adapting as there are several Spaniards in the team.
He is expected to work with players like winger Samuel Castillejo, midfielder Juan Muniz, wingback Oscar Arribas and centreback with Azerbaijan heritage Eddy Israfilov.
If he joins the club, he is expected to bring along his assistants - Roberto Cuesta (set-piece specialist) and Toni Valle (individual tactical analyst).
JDT announced the departure of Bidoglio yesterday, putting an end to his three-year stay with the Malaysian football giants.
The Southern Tigers issued a statement thanking the 57-year-old for his unwavering commitment and service to the club over the last three years, including leading the team to a quadruple last season.
“Hector won two Malaysia Super League titles, two FA Cups, two Malaysia Cups and a Charity Shield during his Southern Tigers tenure, unbeaten in all domestic competitions.”
During his time as coach, he was instrumental in developing the talent of winger Arif Aiman Hanapi, who has won the Malaysian Football League (MFL) Most Valuable Player award in four consecutive seasons - 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024-2025.
