Rookie coach Azmi gets huge task to win Malaysia Cup for JDT

PETALING JAYA: The Johor Football Association (JFA) have promoted Azmi Mohamed from the Premier League squad to coach Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) for the Malaysia Cup next month.

The 42-year-old Azmi, who has barely two years of coaching experience in the Premier League, has been summoned to take charge of the star-studded team with immediate effect. Fandi Ahmad, who was the coach in the Super League, is now the team manager.

Earlier on July 19, the JFA had announced that former Atletico Madrid and Valencia coach Cesar Ferrando Jimenez would replace Fandi as chief coach of JDT for next season.

“I have been instructed to handle the team (JDT) for the Malaysia Cup. The new Spanish coach will arrive in the middle of next month to look at the team and watch some of the Malaysia Cup matches,” said Azmi.

The 16-team Malaysia Cup kicks off on Aug 20. JDT have been drawn in Group B with PKNS FC, T-Team and Felda United.

Edres Selamat, Azmi’s assistant in the Premier League, will now take charge of the Johor team for the Malaysia Cup. Johor, who finished third in the Premier League, have been drawn in Group A with Selangor, Armed Forces and Sime Darby FC.

An optimistic Azmi is relishing the challenge ahead of him.