Still a foreign coach I want – TMJ
Ever since former Johor Darul Ta’zim head coach Mario Gomez was removed from the picture, many names have been thrown around as to who could take up the position of national head coach.
To narrow down the picture, the Football Association Malaysia (FAM) President Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has revealed that he still prefers a foreign coach to head the Harimau Malaya squad.
Since then, some of the names that have come up are former JDT and Kelantan head coach Bojan Hodak, Adelaide United FC coach Josep Gombau, former Thailand national coach Kiatisuk Senamuang, and former Indonesia national coach Alfred Riedl.
“We have a few candidates that we are looking at, definitely still a foreign coach. Therefore we do not rush because the budget that we have is very very small, and FAM has no money.” Goal quoted him as saying.
No more Mario Gomez for sure
In an exclusive meeting with sports editors last month, Tunku Ismail revealed a shocking news that FAM has absolutely no money — and he has no idea why. This also put a strain on his relationship with Mario Gomez, who wanted more than what he was offered before he would accept the position of national head coach.
Tunku Ismail then ruled Gomez out of the picture and said he’ll find someone who “really wants to be [Harimau Malaya] head coach.”
Josep Gombau and TMJ 4eva
Speaking of foreign coaches, one of the names the FAM president has always been particularly fond of is Josep Gombau, a Spanish football manager who is currently coaching Adelaide United FC.
Although the Spaniard has expressed interest in Malaysia, the timing is not right for him as he is attached with Australia at the moment. However, Tunku Ismail is still eyeing Gombau for his long-term plans.
“Josep Gombau is interested but not now, because of his commitment with the Australia national team. But for a long-term plan, he is the most suitable candidate, but maybe in the future,” the FAM president added.
So there we have it: we have a very, very, small budget, our national head coach will be foreign and on a short-term basis. Any guesses who it might be? Or who it should be?
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