Head coach Rudi Garcia (wearing a black suit) instructs players during a water break in Belgium's 5-1 victory over New Zealand in their final Group C match of the 2026 World Cup at BC Place, Vancouver, Canada on 26/6/2026. *Photo: Reuters*

Few fans know that Garcia has Spanish heritage. His paternal grandparents were born in Garrucha, a coastal town in Almeria province, southern Spain. Like many locals in the second half of the last century, they left their hometown for France in search of work due to economic hardship.

Garcia and his sister were born in France, but the family never severed ties with Garrucha. His mother, Ramona, still owns a house between Garrucha and Vera. The Garcia family returns to the town almost every summer. Previously, they owned a house overlooking the Paseo del Malecon promenade before selling it and moving to their current residence.

Summers were filled with football. Before becoming one of Europe's renowned football coaches, Garcia spent his summer holidays as a teenager in Garrucha.

His cousin, Jose Manuel Caparros Garcia, vividly remembers that period. Jose Manuel's mother was the sister of Jose Garcia, Rudi's father. The two families often gathered during summer holidays, and football was an essential activity.

The neighborhood where Rudi Garcia once lived in Garrucha. *Photo: Marca*

"My uncle often played football at Vista Alegre field, the former home of Garrucha Club, and always brought Rudi along. He was friendly with everyone and showed talent from a young age", Jose Manuel recalled.

Although they no longer communicate regularly, Jose Manuel remembers the last time he saw Garcia in Garrucha. "The last time I saw him was a few years ago. Rudi was about 15 years old and I was 14. We went to the town fair together and drank shaved ice lemonade. Rudi knows Garrucha like the back of his hand", he said.

A familiar restaurant on every return. Whenever Garcia is in Garrucha, El Califa restaurant is a frequent stop. The owner, Pedro Haro, known locally as "Perico El Rajao", stated that the Belgium coach maintains the habit of visiting the establishment whenever his schedule allows.

"Rudi comes here almost every year. If he doesn't, it's usually because he's busy with tournaments or finalizing a contract with a new team. Sometimes, important offers even arrive while he's in Garrucha", Haro shared.

Haro also played football with Garcia and his father many times. "Both father and son played as midfielders and were very skilled. Rudi was more of a box-to-box midfielder, while his father resembled a defensive midfielder like Rodri. Every summer holiday, Rudi always lived like a local".

Rudi Garcia photographed with Pedro Haro at El Califa restaurant. *Photo: Marca*

According to Haro, Garcia has a close relationship with his younger brother, Juan Miguel: "The two are like family. My brother still says Rudi is like a second father to him".

Garcia's father, Jose Garcia, passed away from a heart attack while watching a Lille match, the team his son managed, with his wife at home. For those who grew up with Garcia, his success has not changed him.

"Rudi is a great person. As a coach, he can be intense, but in real life, he is very sincere. When he was young, he watched the World Cup or Euro with us at the bar every summer holiday", Haro recounted.

An unfulfilled dream. Despite having managed Lille, AS Roma, Marseille, Lyon, Napoli, and currently the Belgium national team, Garcia still has one unfulfilled ambition: to coach in Spain.

"He always wanted to manage a team in Spain. I remember when Valencia considered appointing Rudi. He is still young, so anything is possible", Haro stated.

When the Belgium national team trained in Murcia not long ago, many of Garcia's friends from Garrucha visited him.

In the quarter-final match against Spain, millions of spectators will see Garcia as the head coach of the Belgium national team. But for the people of Garrucha, he remains the boy who once roamed the Paseo del Malecon promenade, played football at Vista Alegre field, went to the fair with friends, and always visited El Califa restaurant whenever he returned home.

Hong Duy (according to Marca, Eurosport)