PETALING JAYA: Former national team coach, Tan Cheng Hoe, has been confirmed to return to Harimau Malaya, but this time in a different role.
Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president, Datuk Mohd Joehari Mohd Ayub, confirmed the news yesterday, stating that Cheng Hoe will take up the position of technical director, putting an end to the speculation surrounding the 56-year-old coach’s return to Kelana Jaya.
“It is confirmed that he (Cheng Hoe) will be the technical director for Harimau Malaya. In terms of merit, he certainly has the experience to help the team,” said Joehari.
Cheng Hoe took over as head coach of the national team in 2017 after Nelo Vingada’s departure, successfully revamping the team’s image and playing style, leading them to become runners-up in the 2018 AFF Cup. The Alor Setar-born coach also led Harimau Malaya through an impressive start to the World Cup qualification campaign. However, his time with the national team came to an end in 2022 after he resigned following the team’s failure to reach the AFF Cup 2020 final.
He then moved to Thailand with Police Tero last year, but his stint with the club was short-lived, lasting only four months.
At the same time, Joehari revealed that, alongside Cheng Hoe, the FAM have appointed Kuala Lumpur chief executive officer (CEO) Stanley Bernard as the deputy chief executive officer of Harimau Malaya, while former Terengganu sports director Zul Fadli Rozi will take on the role of national team coordinator.
Both will support Harimau Malaya’s CEO, Rob Friend, in managing the team.
Their first task is to ensure Malaysia secures a victory over Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup qualification match, which will take place at the Bukit Jalil Stadium on June 10.
