PETALING JAYA: The Harimau Malaya dugout is empty but the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) are already eyeing their next move.
The succession plan is already taking shape with sources indicating that FAM are considering bringing in a Japanese technical team to lead the national setup, a move that could materialise after the FAM elections in September, or potentially sooner.
“We were told that one group is pushing for a Japanese technical team after the elections, given that the current setup’s contract runs until December,” a source said.
FAM confirmed yesterday that head coach Peter Cklamovski, along with technical staff Matthew Smith and Seiya Imazaki, have parted ways with the national team by mutual consent, effective June 16.
Harimau Malaya’s chief executive officer Rob Friend had his contract terminated earlier on June 1, while Under-23 head coach Nafuzi Zain and goalkeeper coach Mohd Yazid Mohd Yassin also exited on June 15.
The departures marked a near-total reset of the national football setup.
With the AFF Hyundai Cup (July 24–Aug 26) and the FIFA Asean Cup in Jakarta in September fast approaching, FAM may need a stopgap solution before any long-term appointment is made.
The leading candidate for an interim role is national team technical director Tan Cheng Hoe.
The 58-year-old is the most credible option among the four technical directors currently on FAM’s books, the others being Scott Ollerenshaw, Soleen El-Zoubi and Datuk Ong Kim Swee, all of whom are committed to existing roles.
Cheng Hoe’s credentials are beyond dispute. He helmed Harimau Malaya from 2017 to 2022, guiding them to a runners-up finish at the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup and posting a win rate of 50 per cent across 40 matches, 20 wins, four draws and 16 defeats.
FAM have said further announcements on the national team setup will follow in due course.
