A new beginning for Oscar Garcia. The new coach of OH Leuven lost his 21-year-old daughter a year ago to a long-term illness. The former Barcelona striker has been kept out of the football field for a year, but in Leuven he is wearing the training jacket again. “I’ve already faced worse,” he said frankly during his appointment.
A year ago, Oscar Garcia’s world collapsed.
Mariona Garcia, the 21-year-old daughter of OH Leuven’s new coach, has died after an eight-year illness.
“It’s the worst thing that can happen in your life,” father Oscar told The Athletic earlier this year. On November 24, 2022, he posted the simple message on Instagram: vUlta alt amor mio.
Loose translation: Fly high, my love.
The fact that things weren’t going well at Reims during that period – where he was at the helm with Will Steele at his side – was a side issue. He moved to Barcelona where his wife and two daughters sought support from the family.
This is the choice that earned the Spanish T1 the C4 title in France.
“I received bad news about my daughter, so I asked the club if I could go to Barcelona to see her on our days off every week. This is not acceptable to the board. They have decided to terminate my contract.”
It was an era that defined the coach throughout his life.
“I was really struggling,” he said frankly. “Because of my daughter’s illness, I spent months not knowing what I wanted to do with my life. During that time, my family’s life changed dramatically, but all these things make me very strong.”
Garcia did not work last year, but during his appointment today, the new Leuven coach said he is ready to pick up the string again.
“I was fully focused again,” he says. He said in his speech: “I wanted to start early, and I also had proposals, but they did not go well. I told my daughters that we have been through the worst you can experience, but from now on we can handle anything.” Appointment.
“And I’m sure my daughter wants me to be happy and train.”
Of course we play to win, but it can also be done in an attractive way.
The task that awaits Garcia in Leuven: retain the top flight.
“If I didn’t believe that, I wouldn’t be here,” he said firmly.
Garcia is now able to prepare for his new job. “I’ve already watched all the club’s matches this season,” he says. “I know the players through videos, but now I want to know them personally and see how they react to the new style.”
When it comes to a new style, we have to think about attacking football. Garcia trained at FC Barcelona. “Of course we play to win, but it can also be done in an attractive way,” he believes.
The OHL will play against Red Lantern Westerlo on Saturday. Garcia is in the stands and not on the bench yet. He starts work on Sunday.
“I’m absolutely ready to get started,” he concluded.
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