FAM give Hungarian Bicskei the nod as national coach

BY ERIC SAMUEL

PETALING JAYA: The FA of Malaysia (FAM) have turned to Hungarian Bertalan Bicskei to chart the revival of the national team on the international scene. 

The 60-year-old Bicskei, a former Hungary national coach, beat two other contenders – Dragoslav Stepanovic (German) and Bob Houghton (England) – to replace former national coach Englishman Allan Harris, who had occupied the hot seat since Dec 2000.  

Bicskei was sacked by the Hungarian FA after the national team lost 1-3 to Georgia in September 2001 that ended their hopes of qualifying for the 2002 World Cup Finals. He is expected to sign a two-year contract today. 

Holder of a PE Diploma and professional coaching licenses from Hungary (1976) and Germany (1986), Bicskei has worked with the Hungarian junior national teams from 1982-1987 and handled professional clubs – Daewoo in South Korea, Al-Raed of Saudi Arabia, Shenyang in China and Al-Masry of Egypt – previously.  

FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Ahmad Shah (second from left) with Bertalan Bicskei(second from right), Dell (right) and FAM technical director Karl Weigang.

FAM secretary general Datuk Dell Akbar Khan confirmed that Bicskei was in Kuala Lumpur yesterday to finalise the paperwork and details concerning his two-year contract. 

“He (Bicskei) is expected to start work on July 1,” said Dell, although Harris, a former assistant to Terry Venables of Spanish giants Barcelona in the mid-80's, has a contract running till October. 

“It is better for him (Bicskei) to come in early and observe the national team before he takes full control of the preparations for the Asean Football Federation's (AFF) Tiger Cup, which Malaysia and Vietnam will jointly host in December,” added Dell. 

Bicskei had earlier met FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, who is also the technical committee chairman in a private meeting yesterday. 

“Everything is in place for the new national coach (Bicskei) to take over the job from Harris. He will sign the contract (today) and will be back here in two weeks' time,” Dell said. 

Meanwhile, the national team under Harris are scheduled to play against the visiting Singapore national team on July 12 and English Premier League side Norwich City FC on July 17.