Let’s get to work: V. Saravanan guiding a youngster during Perak’s training session. — Perak FC
PETALING JAYA: V. Saravanan – a legendary striker revered on the streets of Ipoh – has returned to his home state.
The 44-year-old has been appointed assistant to coach Lim Teong Kim for the new Super League season and hopes to impart his vast knowledge to the Seladang.
The nimble-footed player has been based in Finland for the past 10 years where he did his UEFA A licence and coached some of the age group sides in top Finnish club HJK Helsinki.
Before heading for Finland, the former Perak, Pahang and PKNS winger played for Malaysia in the 1997 World Youth Championship and represented the country 43 times from 2000 to 2004.
He won the Malaysia Cup twice with Perak and the Malaysian Premier League One twice during his playing career.
Saravanan hopes to help his state bounce back on the national stage after a miserable two years, in which they were relegated in 2021 and played in the Premier League in 2022.
“It has been 20 years since I stepped foot at the Perak Stadium. It’s good to be back.
“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for quite a while and I want to repay the faith of the club,” he said.
Since joining the team last week, Saravanan has been impressed with everyone’s attitude.
“The coaches and players are highly disciplined and that’s an environment you can thrive in. Whatever I have learnt in Europe, I will use to help Perak,” he said.
Perak have signed many youngsters to rejuvenate the squad this year, and with Saravanan’s expertise in grassroots football, his hiring seems to be the right move for Teong Kim to develop the next star from Perak.
“I will help the players improve in training and during games. On and off the pitch, we will turn them into exemplary players.
“It’s easy teaching them because they are eager to learn and improve.
“That’s a positive attitude, and I like that energy.”
