The Málaga Story

There's a new name being mentioned alongside those who can afford the highest transfers and wages in the world, and not one you'd automatically expect. Editor Dean Mears looks at the history of Málaga CF and how they look set to become one of Europe's major players.

It took Malaga just five years to climb through the Spainish leagues.

There's a short history to Málaga Club de Fútbol, who took over from the dissolved Deportivo Club Málaga in 1994. After finishing unbeaten in their first ever season, it would take Málaga three years to gain promotion again, this time to Spain’s 2^nd Division under the management of Ismael Diaz, Málaga wouldn’t have a long wait in this division though, as they secured promotion and a first league title with three
games to spare. After just 5 years, the capital of the Costa Del Sol were back in the big time (are you reading this AFC Wimbledon?).

In 2002, Málaga then moved into European football, playing in the old Intertoto Cup, the winners of which where guaranteed place in the next years Uefa Cup, after beating the likes of Ghent, Willem II and Villarreal both home and way, Málaga won their first piece of European silverware. Their Uefa Cup run would be just as memorable, the blue and whites successfully negotiated their way to the quarter finals, beating Amica Wronki of Poland, Leeds United and Greece’s AEK Athens, before a fatal shootout defeat to Portugal’s Boavista.

In 2006, Málaga were relegated back to the Second division, and stayed their for 2 years while the club underwent major restructuring at board level, captain of the first team, Pablo Sanz took over as club President, relinquishing his role as a player having just completed pre season training. It was decided that Málaga would enter voluntary administration, which allowed the club to reach agreements with its creditors to approve a viable plan that would allow the club to face it’s debts. The good news off the pitch quickly translated off the pitch, as Málaga, now managed by Juan Ramón López Muñiz, confirmed promotion back to the first division after beating Tenerife C.D on the final game of the season.

Málaga returned to La Liga in style, the entertaining style of play under Antonio Tapia saw them finish 7^th, equally their record points total that was set in 2001. The next year however, wasn’t as rosy. Malaga were locked in a four way relegation dog fight, and it wasn’t until the final game, against title chasing Real Madrid that Malaga secured their top flight status with a priceless draw.

Málaga's latest era started on the 25^th June 2010, when Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani, a relation to the Qatari royal family, took control of the club for a reported 36 million euros. The Sheikh’s vast wealth has taken Málaga to a new level, bringing in players such as Joaquin Demichelis, Toulalan, Van Nistelrooy, Bapitisa. 

Not world class stars, but a start to making Málaga Spain’s third biggest team, if Málaga can get European football for next season you’ll see a rise that would eclipse everything that has happened at Manchester City’s, Málaga have already been linked with the likes of Carlos Tevez and Didier Drogba, and it's only a matter of time before they can attract this standard of player to the Costa Del Sol.