JOHOR BARU (26 Feb 2018) – Johor Darul Takzim’s Portuguese head coach Ulisses Morais has quit the four-time Malaysian Super League champions as of Sunday – a day after he led the Southern Tigers to a 3-0 win over Melaka United at the Larkin Stadium in Johor Bahru.
In a posting on the Southern Tigers Facebook Morais gave “health reasons in the family” for leaving the team.
“As in everything in life we all have priorities and I am forced to leave you because of this. Today is a very sad day for me to end my duty with this great club.”
The Portuguese thanked the fans for their “unrelenting support, care and respect shown day after day” and also thanked his assistant Rui Rodrigues and other supporting staff and officials of JDT.
Last but not least Morais had the best words for club owner Major General Tunku Ismail Sultan Iskandar, the Crown Prince of Johor.
Morais described TMJ – as the Crown Prince is popularly known – as the “Heart and Soul” of this fantastic club (JDT) and further added that TMJ is a “young man of undeniable talent, immense intelligence and great leadership” who is “born winner.”
“I shared with him many hours of the day in his house or in the club where he has always treated me with the highest respect,” said Morais, adding that TMJ also “showed me a new meaning of friendship” and also provided all the necessary elements for the team’s success.
He further described TMJ as a “visionary” and “I would like to tell everyone that all his (TMJ) plans will soon happen” – to take take JDT to greater heights in this region.
JDT fans were not left out by Morias. “I have huge respect for the fans and the communities of Johor” for making him the best.
“I am blessed and honoured to be in the history of books of JDT and the memories of Johor and JDT will always be embedded in my heart,” said Morais and wished the club best for the future and forever.
With the win over Melaka United the Southern Tigers shot to the top of the table with nine points from four matches. This is before the PKNS FC – Kedah match which is played on Sunday night.
