KUALA LUMPUR: Football legend Datuk Santokh Singh has urged national coach Nelo Vingada to resign as a form of apology to Malaysian fans.
Santokh said he found it surprising that Vingada has yet to be sacked after failing to guide the team to a single win and recording mostly defeats in seven matches since becoming national coach six months ago.
"The FA of Malaysia is getting stranger. I think we are one of the few teams in the world who still keep their coach despite not having won in seven matches. Other countries would have long changed (the coach)," said Santokh today.
"Perhaps it is because the coach is a foreigner. If it was a local coach I think FAM would have fired him a long time ago.
"Why not use a local coach, what is wrong with them? I have disagreed with using a foreign coach from the start because it takes a long time for them to understand local football.
"There is no such thing as trying or testing when it comes to international matches because every loss affects the team's ranking, image and puts the squad as well as our loyal fans under pressure."
Santokh added that the team need a substantial revamp with a local coach placed in charge.
"We cannot use a foreign coach because the current senior team have already reached their limit of their ability.
“It’s better to use a local coach who understands the reality of football in Malaysia.
"This is a national team and not a club where you can use imports. The team should be revamped with the younger players. given a chance to develop.
"Unfortunately FAM will never listen to former players and there are some people who even tell us to stay in a museum."
Translated from Harian Metro