When Sheikh Abdullah ben Nasser Al Thani bought Málaga CF for 36million Euros, there was not a great deal of attention paid. This was in spite of the fact that it was the first time an investor from the Qatar region had come to Spanish football. A year on though and the Málaga project is gathering momentum with an influx of dependable, proven internationals who could propel them up the league significantly.
After a catalogue of identity crises, they seemed settled from 1941 – 1992, named Málaga CD. Unfortunately, due to financial circumstances CD dissolved and their reserve club, CA Malagueño, became Málaga Club de Futbol (Malaga CF). With this lack of stability in the past, the question of consistency in the financial and personnel departments is interesting to review.
The Sheikh is vice chairman/shareholder in DOHA bank whilst enjoying success with a plethora of businesses. He also announced plans to invest in the area of Marbella citing the location’s high potential in the tourism sector within a month of buying the club. Collectively this displays a solid financial spine and alludes to him having continued involvement in the area for the future.
Sold to the Sheikh by the brother of former player and club President Fernando Sanz, Málaga’s new hierarchy decided to keep him on in advisory role. Retaining Sanz displays good judgement on the Sheikh’s part, as it keeps an element of the club’s heritage and years of insight and footballing experience can still be drawn upon.
A fantastic coup for the club was undoubtedly bringing in Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini. The former Real Madrid manager is the second best South American manager to grace La Liga in 25 years based on points gained and is highly respected. The Sheikh appointing him highlights sound pragmatic footballing knowledge in that he knew a high profile manager would be crucial to signing high profile players and subsequent progression.
The players Al Thani has brought in are undoubtedly of a higher calibre than they previously possessed. He has financially splashed but with markedly more tact than other recent businessmen owners. The notable attacking acquisitions include José Salomón Rondón, Joaquin and none other than Ruud van Nistlerooy. Rondón has been fantastic in his first season scoring 14 goals in 30 appearances. He can finish clinically, has excellent physical prowess, is great in the air and he peels off from defenders superbly. He seems an intelligent, powerful young striker who can still learn from van Nistlerooy.
The former Manchester United man needs no introduction and with 342 goals in 546 career appearances is an inspired free signing. Joaquin is known as a player who never truly realised his full potential, however if coached in the correct manner he can guarantee quality on the ball and exciting pacey wing play, whilst providing healthy competition for Duda and Eliseu.
Last season it was the defence that inhibited Málaga, with them holding the second worst defensive record in La Liga, shipping 68 goals in total, 29 at home and 39 away. This glaring frailty has been rightly prioritised and addressed by the club’s management and boardroom.
Defensively, they brought in Demichelis last season and this summer signed Joris Mathijsen from Hamburg for just 2.5 million euros, Spain international fullback Nacho Monreal and France international Jeremy Toulalan for around 10 million euros. Mathijsen brings a wealth of experience and in him and Demichelis they boast a solid centre back pairing. Nahco Monreal is one of the best fullbacks in La Liga , with his performances seeing him repeatedly linked with the likes of Arsenal and Bayern Munich.
So Al Thani has indeed invested in the squad and consequently Málaga seems an attractive prospect to big name players. Demichelis described Málaga as the ‘best project outside Real and Barca in Spain’, but there is no ‘responsibility to win’ in comparison to River and Bayern. Ruud claims he is ‘proud’ to go there and cites the dressing room of ‘world class players’ as a reason. Now with Pellegrini signing until 2015, a collection of well fitting, experienced players and a seemingly fantastic owner, it looks difficult to disagree. I feel the club could be amongst those few who could upset the hierarchy Barca and Real have rather impressively established.
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