PETALING JAYA: Selangor are scrambling to find a new candidate as a replacement for Tan Cheng Hoe (pic) after the latter left the head coach spot in a huff.
It’s rare for a coach to leave after doing so well with the team that were once in the dumps but Cheng Hoe has decided to take up an offer from a lower ranked club in Thailand.
Shocking as it may be, Selangor chief executive officer (CEO) Dr Johan Kamal Hamidon said the focus was on getting a new gaffer as soon as possible, with interim head coach Nidzam Jamil and several other foreign coaches among the candidates.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Red Giants announced a mutual termination agreement with Cheng Hoe following his decision to pursue a head coach opportunity with a club in Thailand on Wednesday.
“Nidzam is the only local coach on the list. We are looking at two or three other foreign candidates as there have been many proposals coming in,” said Johan.
“The news on Cheng Hoe did catch everyone at the club by surprise as we only knew a couple of days before the announcement.
“But now we have shifted the focus to finding a replacement. We need to really think carefully before making this big decision,” he said.
Johan added that Nidzam’s experience in the club as assistant coach under Cheng Hoe will come in handy.
“He has played for the club in the past and has worked under Cheng Hoe. He understands a lot of what the club are doing and the direction they are heading with the players.”
Johan said the new face in the coaching staff and new names in the locker room would bring about their own sets of challenges, but the fresh legs have been adapting well.
“It’s always a challenge of having new faces at the club, but Selangor have a good culture and environment to be around.
“So I think the players have adapted quite seamlessly, the long pre-season also helps in the integration process, for the new and old players,” he said.
Regardless of who takes over the Red Giants, Johan said the team would be ready to give it their all.
“Of course, a new head coach will be a big deal for the club, but the coaching staff are very supportive as most of them have been here for many years. They will give their best to whoever is in charge,” said Johan.
Cheng Hoe, who arrived in Selangor in 2022, led the team to runners-up spots in the Malaysia Cup (2022) and Super League (2023) and secured their qualification to the AFC Champions League 2 for the upcoming 2024-2025 season.
