Sathianathan still game for new challenge

SHAH ALAM: Veteran coach B. Sathianathan, who was recently sacked by Selangor, is not ready to retire yet and is in fact considering several offers, including one from a foreign team.

According to the 62-year-old, it doesn’t matter if the team are from the Super League or Premier League. What matters to him is that they have a realistic vision and a cooperative management.

“A team should have proper and realistic planning because only then will a coach have the confidence to join them. Frankly, a team should have a holistic planning to challenge JDT (Johor Darul Ta’zim) in two to three years’ time, not target the title in the first year itself!

“It is only fair to give a new coach some time to form a solid team, ” he said.

The former national coach said there was still so much he wanted to impart and share although certain parties described him as being irrelevant following the methods he used when he was with Selangor.

Sathianathan, however, defended his record and experience after winning various titles with three previous teams – Kelantan, Police and Felda United.

“I am not dispirited despite the sacking. This (sacking) is normal for me. I have guided Kelantan to a runners-up finish in the Super League and become Malaysia Cup champions.

“I helped Police become Premier League champions and reach the Malaysia Cup final. I also coached Felda United to become Premier League champions.

“Not many coaches have achieved what I have accomplished. As long as my mind is still sharp and I am physically fit, I don’t see why I should retire, ” said Sathianathan, who was adjudged the best coach three times at the 2010,2012 and 2017 National Football Awards ceremonies. — Bernama