KUALA LUMPUR: National Under-16 football coach, Lim Teong Kim has been sacked by the FA of Malaysia (FAM) after the team failed to book a ticket to next year’s Under-17 World Cup in Peru.
FAM announced Teong Kim’s dismissal after Malaysia lost 2-0 to Japan at Bukit Jalil today and were eliminated in the group stages of the AFC U-16 Championship.
FAM secretary general, Stuart Ramalingam said the orders for Teong Kim’s sacking came from president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin.
"We came to this decision, after the national team failed to clear the group stages of the AFC Championship.
"Datuk Hamidin has instructed deputy president, Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal to contact the FAM Technical and Youth Development Committee to call for a meeting with FAM technical director, Peter de Roo as soon as possible.
"This is to identify a new head coach for the Under-16 squad. Their suggestions will then be discussed at the FAM executive committee meeting," said Stuart in a statement.
FAM, however, will not interfere with Teong Kim's position as the director of the National Football Development Programme, leaving it to discretion of the Sports Ministry. Teong Kim is also a former Bayern Munich development coach
"FAM's jurisdiction is limited to the selection of the head coach and assistant. Teong Kim still has a contract with his employer (Sports Ministry).
“We will let the Sports Ministry decide on Teong Kim's future," added Stuart.
The national Under-16 squad got off to a flying start in the AFC Championship when they thrashed Tajikistan 6-2 in their opening Group A tie. However, they lost 4-2 to Thailand and 2-0 to Japan in their final group match.