Legacy: Bojan Hodak celebrating with his players after Kuala Lumpur stunned JDT to win the Malaysia Cup in 2021. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian football fraternity will miss a colourful personality in Croatian coach Bojan Hodak, who announced his surprise decision to leave Kuala Lumpur only days after their defeat to Johor Darul Ta’zim in the FA Cup final.
Hodak will take over as the new coach for Indonesia’s Persib Bandung after achieving success with KL, leading the Klang Valley side to reach three finals in three different competitions.
And for the 52-year-old Croatian, the most unforgettable experience he will cherish was the high of stunning favourites JDT 2-0 to lift the Malaysia Cup title in 2021.
“The experience is very special to me when everyone did not expect a dwarf team like KL to be able to pull off a surprise by defeating the South-East Asian giants in front of tens of thousands of fans.
“I will also cherish the experience and pain in bringing KL to perform at the highest level in Asia (in the AFC Cup).
“It also memorable to me that we managed to overcame Uzbekistan club PFC Sogdiana (5-3 on penalties) in the inter-zonal final of the AFC Cup last year to qualify for the final stage of the AFC Cup,” he said.
KL eventually lost 0-3 to Oman club Al Seeb in the final stage of the AFC Cup at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium but still a proud achievement to be only the second Super League team to play in the final stage after JDT did it in 2015.
Hodak also admitted that his migration to another club abroad did not go down well with some of the players yesterday.
“They (players) thought that my announcement to another club was a prank but when they realised it was true, some of them cried and did not want to continue training.
“I can’t say who was crying but everyone was surprised by my decision to no longer be with KL.
“But I have a gentleman’s agreement with the club management that is if I get the offer I want, they have to let me go.
“After the AFC Cup, I had three offers but they didn’t match what I wanted, so why gamble with luck if you’re not satisfied, so I decided to stay at KL City.
“I spoke to the players this morning but the president and CEO have known about my decision for a long time and everything are already known. This is perfect timing after three finals in three years and I wish this club the best of luck,” he added.
Fellow Croatian and former Penang coach Nenad Bacina will take over as the new KL coach with immediate effect.
“I want the new coach to continue the legacy left behind and be able to ensure harmony in the dressing room.
“We have spoken to him and he accepted this offer. Me and Nenad have the same style of play, so it won’t affect the harmony in the dressing room,” Hodak explained.
Kuala Lumpur Football Association president Datuk Khalid Samad who made the surprise announcement in a press conference yesterday said they are sad to let Hodak go.
“He has implemented a high work culture and professional game tactics. We are very sad to let him go but have to agree to Hodak’s decision.
