Irfan Bakti: 'It has been two years here and I have not only failed to win a trophy but failed to lift Selangor’s game as well.'
PETALING JAYA: Selangor coach Irfan Bakti has quit the team following a poor outing in the Malaysia Cup.
The 3-0 loss to Sime Darby in the Malaysia Cup on Tuesday was the straw that broke the camel’s back as it left Selangor with an uphill task of qualifying for the quarter-final as they are at the bottom of Group A with a single point.
Selangor started their Malaysia Cup campaign with a goalless draw with Johor before losing 3-2 at home to Armed Forces last week.
Irfan insisted that Selangor still has a chance to make it to the quarter-finals but believes he had “failed” the 32-time Malaysia Cup winners.
“I tendered my resignation at 5pm after speaking to Selangor FA deputy president Datuk Mokhtar Ahmad,” Irfan confirmed.
“I think it is time to go. The defeat to Sime Darby was too much to take. The players certainly gave their best but these things happen. I do not think it is in the best interest of the team that I stay.
“It has been two years here and I have not only failed to win a trophy but failed to lift Selangor’s game as well. These things are normal in football. Coaches come and go.”
Much was expected from Irfan, the former Terengganu coach, who led the Turtles to win the FA Cup in 2011 after he joined the Klang Valley giant in 2012.
The last time the Red Giants won a trophy was in 2010 – when they bagged the Charity Shield and Super League and Irfan was tasked to deliver at least a silverware this season.
Irfan’s first season with Selangor ended with a third place finish in the Super League, and they were knocked out in the round of 16 of the FA Cup and the semi-finals of the Malaysia Cup.
The Red Giants did better under Irfan in the second year with a second place finish in the Super League; they were knocked out of the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Irfan is rumoured to be on his way to Felda United but he dismissed the matter as “something that had to be finalised”.
Irfan’s assistant P. Maniam is expected to be installed as caretaker manager for their remaining Malaysia Cup matches before the the Red Giants look for a new head coach next season.
Maniam took charge of the team in 2011 when K. Devan also quit the team after a poor showing in the Malaysia Cup.
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