End of the road for coach Rajagopal

PETALING JAYA: National coach Datuk K. Rajagopal’s contract will not be extended.

The decision was made by the FA of Malaysia’s (FAM) executive committee after a meeting chaired by president Sultan Ahmad Shah at Wisma FAM on Sunday.

Rajagopal’s contract ends on Dec 31 and the FAM have appointed Under-23 coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee as the caretaker coach of the national team for the final Asian Cup Group D qualifier against Yemen on March 5 next year.

FAM vice-president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal thanked Rajagopal for his services to the FAM.

“Rajagopal is among the longest serving national coaches and has served us for five years. We thank him for his contributions,” said Subahan, who is also the national team manager.

“It’s still too early to decide on the new head coach. Kim Swee will take charge of the national team after next month’s Myanmar SEA Games.”

Meanwhile, the FAM exco have agreed to increase the foreign player quota from 2+1 to 3+1 next season.

They also changed the venue of the Charity Shield match between Malaysia Cup winners Pahang and Super League champions Lions XII. The match will now be held at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan on Jan 17 instead of Shah Alam Stadium.

FAM competitions committee chairman Datuk Affendi Hamzah said they hoped that the increase in the foreign player quota would help M-League sides Kelantan and Selangor in the AFC Cup.

“We have increased the number of foreign signings for next season but only three foreign players will be allowed on the pitch at any given time. As for the transfer window, it will close on Dec 4.”