Bye-bye to Bicskei

PETALING JAYA: Hungarian coach Bertalan Bicskei has parted company amicably with the FA of Malaysia (FAM) and he will leave for home tonight. 

Bicskei, whose two-year contract was to expire in June, came to an agreement with the FAM on Monday to cut short his stint in Malaysia. 

BACK HOME: Bertalan Bicskei has cut short his stint in Malaysia and will head for Hungary Thursday night.

Bicskei came in as the national coach but he was reassigned to development duties together with his assistant Jozef Durjah, following Malaysia’s dismal showing in the Asean Football Federation's (AFF) Under-23 tournament in Bangkok in October. 

“It is better I go home,” said a disappointed Bicskei yesterday. 

“I feel sorry that I could not do better for Malaysian football. The first year was good. But after some changes in the team management, there were different ideas. I am a professional ... I am disappointed,” said Bicskei, who joined the FAM fold as a replacement for Englishman Allan Harris in July 2004. 

Bicskei, who guided the national senior team to third place in the Asean Football Federation's (AFF) Tiger Cup last year, was in charge of the Under-23 squad for the Manila SEA Games. 

But he was replaced by Norizan Bakar after the AFF age-group tournament. In the tournament, Malaysia suffered a 0-7 drubbing by Thailand and went on to finish fourth. They received a walkover from Timor Leste, drew 1-1 with Myanmar and beat the Philippines 2-1. 

Bicskei was also in charge of the senior national team, who qualified for the quarter-finals in the Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia April. 

Bicskei said he had no hard feelings over his decision to go home because it was made in the best interest of the game. 

“My wife and my family enjoyed our stay here. The people were friendly and good to us,” he said. 

“I would also like to thank the players and coaches, who have worked with me and wish them all the best in their future undertakings. I hope we can meet again.”