PETALING JAYA: Negri Sembilan interim coach K. Rajan confirmed that he will remain with the Deer next season after guiding them to a creditable finish in the Super League.
Rajan, who took charge in February, savoured an unbeaten run and capped the season with a 2-1 victory over Kelantan on Sunday.
The win secured seventh place for Negri with 29 points, a significant improvement from last season’s 12th spot.
The 45-year-old confirmed that he is part of the club’s long-term plans, but the details are yet to be finalised by the management.
“My position remains with Negri. The club have informed me that I am part of their plans for the next season,” said Rajan.
“I will remain here as I am part of their long-term plans. But the exact position is not known yet.”
Rajan took over from former head coach Nidzam Jamil, who left the club in February following a string of poor results.
Since stepping into the temporary role, Rajan has guided Negri to stay unbeaten in their final eight league matches.
At the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi, Negri broke the deadlock early as Ahmad Khuzaimi Piee scored in the eighth minute, before Mio Tsuneyasu doubled the lead four minutes later.
Kelantan got their sole goal in the 27th minute through Mohd Ashraf Aliffuddin Yasin.
“Overall for this year, we have to give maximum credit to the coaching staff, players, and management,” Rajan added.
“From finishing 12th last season to now coming in seventh, that’s a very good improvement.
“We wanted to win the final game of the season. It’s all for our preparations for next season.”
Meanwhile, Kelantan’s season ended in 12th place with just 15 points this season, only four points ahead of bottom-place Police, who have 11.
