Apprentice and his master: Nenad Bacina (left) was an assistant to coach Bojan Hodak from 2021 to 2022 in Kuala Lumpur.
PETALING JAYA: Kuala Lumpur’s coaching woe continues.
Many were expecting Croatian Nenad Bacina to extend his stay with the City Boys but he has announced that he would be moving on from the club to pursue other goals.
Bacina, who assisted Bojan Hodak from 2021 to 2022 in Kuala Lumpur was made coach last year after Hodak left the club to join Indonesian club Persib Bandung in June last year.
A well-liked figure among the Kuala Lumpur boys, thanks to his affable character and smart man management, Bacina’s departure served as another blow.
“It was a privilege for me to be surrounded by dear friends and colleagues. In life, the hardest thing is to part ways with dear people in successful collaborations,” said Bacina.
“I’ve had good memories. Many thanks to the management, players, assistant coaches, all the backroom staff and of course all the fans and supporters of Kuala Lumpur.
“This is certainly not goodbye... I wish Kuala Lumpur the best of luck and a successful future.”
With his departure, several names were linked including Kedah’s coach Nafuzi Zain but it is learnt that the previous season’s assistant coach Miroslav Kuljanac could be moved to the hot seat for the new season.
The club have been beset by departures with key striker Romel Morales leaving the club to join Johor Darul Ta’zim and midfielder Akram Mahinan moving to Terengganu.
Veteran Ivorian forward Tchetche Kipre also left the team to join Kuching City, while winger T. Saravanan cancelled his contract to move to Pahang.Even the Lambert twins – Ryan and Declan – have moved to JDT but Declan is returning to the City Boys on a season-long loan.
The club have yet to announce new signings but it is learnt that they have signed wingers S. Sharvin, J. Partiban and centreback Nicholas Swirad.
They have kept key players like Australian centreback Giancarlo Gallifuoco, goalkeeper Azri Ghani, midfielder Zhafri Yahya and rightback Kamal Azizi Zabri.
The changes, however, have not stopped the City Boys from dreaming big as they are confident to finish as one of the top six teams again in the Super League.
