POSER ON ROBERT

With several teams already come knocking at the door of Robert following his fabulous first season when he led Arema to the tough Indonesian league title, the financial difficulty currently facing Arema could be a factor to retaining the former technical director of the FA of Malaysia.

“It is true that there are several clubs who had already approached me on some possibility but my commitment at this time is with Arema – provided the team management and also the Aremania want me to stay,” said Robert.

“But up to this point, the Arema management have yet to sit down and talk to me on the extension of my contract.”

It is believed that among the Indonesian clubs interested in signing him on are Persib Bandung and PSM Makassar – as well as other clubs from Thailand, Thailand and Malaysi.

Perhaps, what is holding Arema back is the possibility that it will cost a lot more to keep the Dutchman considering that he is being paid IDR 750-800 (USD88,000) for the 2009-2010 season.

Arema have yet to confirm sponsorships for the new season where they have also to take into account the fact that they will be playing in the AFC Champions League which will require more funding.

“The fact of the matter is that we still want to keep Robert and we are waiting for the arrival of his agent (Onana Julies Denies) to Arema to discuss things over. If he can‘t come here then we will just meet him in Jakarta,” said Arema’s Mammad Nur.