No task too huge for Red Giants boss Feichtenbeiner

PETALING JAYA: Taking over the Selangor senior squad after working with their youth side will just be a natural progression for German coach Michael Feichtenbeiner.

He led the Selangor II team in the Premier League for two seasons and was instrumental in developing several talented youngsters like Sharul Nazeem Zulphakar, Aliff Haiqal Lau and Ahmad Danial Ahmad Asri, who have moved up to the senior squad.

“The step up from junior to the first team is essential, so I’m doing that with Selangor. Now, 50% of the feeder team are part of the first team.

“That’s the progress we want,” said Feichtenbeiner, who had developed many young players in Germany and Austria before joining Selangor two years ago as technical director.

Feichtenbeiner is also ready to work with the Red Giants new signings – Jordanian centreback Yazan Al-Arab and midfielder Baha Abdelrahman, and Brazilian striker Herlison Caion.

The three will replace German duo, centreback Tim Heubach and Manuel Konrad, and Swiss midfielder Oliver Buff.

“Last season, we focused on three German-speaking players to implement the transition football we wanted to play under Karsten (Neitzel), but it did not work out,” he said.

“We decided to change the imports, and I was impressed with the two Jordanians when they played against Malaysia in October.

“Yazan will be good for our defensive line while Baha is the perfect leader in midfield to support seniors like Brendan (Gan) and Safuwan (Baharuddin).

“As for Caion, we were looking for someone to replace a proven goalscorer like Ifedayo (Olusegun).

“It’s not easy to replace a player who scored many goals, but Caion is experienced. I have a strong feeling that he can adapt to our style of play.”