Kurniawan’s back to help Rhinos charge ahead

PETALING JAYA: Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto (pic) is back with Sabah as the head coach and can’t wait to start preparing the team for the new Super League season.

Kurniawan was replaced with Lucas Kallang Laeng late last year by the club’s newly appointed chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Verdon Bahanda.

And Jelius Ating was named as the manager.

But five days before Christmas, Verdon, Lucas and Jelius resigned from their positions after new Sabah Football Association (Safa) president Datuk Seri Bung Mokhtar Radin announced of his plan to change the leadership structure in the association and club.

Kurniawan was nearly on his way to assist coach Irfan Bakti with Kuching City in the Premier League but fortunately, the newly appointed CEO Khairul Firdaus had persuaded the former Indonesian international to return.

Now that the management limbo is over, Kurniawan cannot wait to lead his Rhinos again.

“I was shocked when my contract was not renewed. I had to discuss with several other teams but at a last minute, the new Sabah management offered me a deal. I thank them for still having the trust in me, ” he said.

“We finished 10th last season but there many issues, including the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I accepted this deal professionally as I’ve some unfinished business with the team. I would like to thank the old coach (Lucas), who prepared the team’s conditioning since last month.

“I also did ask some of the players whether they wanted me back before accepting the job.

“I did not want my arrival to affect the team. Alhamdulilah, the players welcomed me well.”

With his position assured, Kurniawan said they would finalise the team soon. They will complete the local cast by this week and wrap up the import signings by the end of January.

“The management has given me the full support to get the players that I want.

“Most of the local boys who played with us last season will stay on, and we are hopeful that leaders like Rawilson (Batuil) and Azzizan (Nordin) will remain too.

“They are assets to the state and also for Harimau Malaya.

“Some young Sabah boys have attended a trial with us, and if they can add depth to the squad, we will take them.

“We have less than two months now to prepare for the league but we hope to settle down as quick as possible.”