PETLING JAYA (5 Jan 2016) – The FA of Malaysia (FAM) are expected to announce the name of their new head coach by the end of the month.
FAM deputy president Datuk Abdul Mokhtar Ahmad revealed that FAM’s Selection Panel was in the midst of shortlisting the candidates for the post currently held interim by former national Under-23 squad head coach, Datuk Ong Kim Swee.
“I cannot reveal how many candidates have been shortlisted but what I can say is that the interview will be conducted in mid-January and it is highly possible that the team’s new manager will be named at end of January,” he told Bernama today.
Abdul Mokhtar said a report of the interview would be submitted to the Special Task Force chaired by himself, before the final decision was made.
However, he said FAM’s priority in awarding the ‘hot seat’ would be to someone with extensive experience in the local football arena, as they were confident the individual would be well-versed with the local culture.
“The interview mechanism used previously for the U23 head coach’s post will also be used by the selection panel during the interview (for the national squad’s head coach position) later,” said Abdul Mokhtar.
The media recently reported that FAM had shortlisted three candidates who have extensive experience in the local football arena to manage the national team.
The three are Kim Swee, former Johor Darul Ta’zim coach Bojan Hodak, and former Sarawak coach Roberts Alberts.
The post has remained vacant since Dollah Salleh resigned following Malaysia’s humiliating 0-10 defeat to the United Arab Emirates in the third match of the Group A qualifying round for the 2018 World Cup / 2019 Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Sept 3 last year. – BERNAMA
