Smile of confidence: JDT will be Munoz’s first venture outside Europe but he appears unfazed by the shift.
PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) new head coach Xisco Munoz is already deep into preparations ahead of the club’s pre-season, and his approach is rooted in adaptability, learning, and building from the ground up.
In an interview with Spanish coaching platform Coach Football Club, the 44-year-old Spaniard offered a rare glimpse into his coaching philosophy, emphasising the importance of understanding the local football landscape before implementing ideas on the pitch.
“Pre-season, the first thing we do is study the league,” said Munoz.
“Because what you do in England does not work in Spain, or anywhere else in the world.”
“You’re working in nations where the timing, conditions, and even team mentalities are different. You cannot apply the same tactical situations with every team. Every context demands its own strategy.”
Munoz, a former Watford manager, views pre-season as a period to instil structure and progression. His method involves building a tactical identity from the fundamentals - especially in defence - before evolving the team’s playing style.
“Take defence for example. You start with a low block. Once that’s mastered, you gradually progress to a high line. If you understand how to defend deep, you can adapt and advance into any zone,” he explained.
“Only then do you begin introducing pressing strategies and your personal philosophy of how the team should play.”
Munoz’s managerial career has taken him across Europe – from leading Dinamo Tbilisi to the Georgian league title in 2020, to earning promotion to the English Premier League with Watford in 2021.
He has also helmed clubs in Spain (Huesca), Cyprus (Anorthosis Famagusta), and most recently, Slovakia (Dunajska Streda).
JDT will be his first venture outside Europe, but Munoz appears unfazed by the shift, especially with a familiar support system already in place as JDT have a number of Spanish players and coaches in the team.
Known for his intense, modern approach to football and commitment to detail, Munoz’s arrival signals a new chapter for JDT – one that promises tactical evolution, international pedigree, and a clear blueprint rooted in studying and mastering the Malaysian game.
