Luis García Plaza: 'The Timing Wasn't Right' for Levante Reunion
The veteran Spanish manager opens up about recent links to Levante and Oviedo, rejected foreign offers, and his current state of mind while waiting for his next challenge.
García Plaza Breaks Silence on Levante Talks and Managerial Limbo
Veteran Spanish gaffer Luis García Plaza has confirmed he was approached about a potential return to Levante, but revealed both parties agreed the timing wasn’t ideal after initial discussions.
Levante Return That Never Was
Speaking candidly on Radio MARCA’s ‘La Pizarra’, García Plaza addressed the swirling rumours about his potential return to the Ciutat de Valencia, where he previously enjoyed a successful spell.
“There was contact, but it wasn’t the right moment for us to meet,” he explained, noting that Levante’s president had already mentioned this publicly. The 51-year-old tactician elaborated that after initial talks, both sides couldn’t reach an agreement, with the club’s limited transfer capabilities being a stumbling block.
García Plaza expressed his best wishes for his former players Álvaro and Iborra, who are now at the club, hoping they can turn things around.
Oviedo Links Wide of the Mark
The experienced manager was quick to dismiss recent speculation linking him with the Real Oviedo job, stating bluntly: “They haven’t called me, or I’d say so.” Taking the rumours in good spirits, he made it clear that despite the media buzz, his dog and bone had remained silent regarding any interest from the Asturian outfit.
Foreign Adventures Rejected
Interestingly, García Plaza revealed he’s turned down several lucrative opportunities abroad in recent months:
- Rejected offers from Qatar, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Russia
- Came close to joining Spartak Moscow after meetings but decided against it
- Concerns about European competitive context influenced his decision
His current priority is to coach in Spain, preferably in La Liga, though he’s keeping his options open. García Plaza distinguished between starting a new project and coming in as a replacement, suggesting he currently fits more into the latter category.
More Than Just a ‘Firefighter’
The Madrid-born coach also addressed his reputation as a “firefighter” manager who specializes in rescuing struggling teams. While acknowledging this perception, he pointed to his three promotions and solid work at clubs like Mallorca and Alavés as evidence of his broader capabilities.
“They’ve pigeonholed me as a promotion coach or someone who saves teams, but I’m a football manager,” he insisted, citing Mendilibar as an example of how context can limit opportunities for more ambitious long-term projects.
Patient Approach
García Plaza appears remarkably zen about his current situation - a rare break after more than two decades of almost continuous coaching. He’s using this downtime to live calmly, continue his education, and watch more football than ever without anxiety about what comes next.
“I’m happy being a football manager, wherever they want me,” he concluded, confident that his next opportunity will arrive at the right time.