FOLLOWING the non-renewal of coach Ong Kim Swee’s contract after the national under-22 team’s disastrous outing at the recent Sea Games, fans are wondering who will take over.
Naturally, all eyes would be on Kim Swee’s assistant and current national under-19 coach, Brad Maloney.
However, FAM are not in a hurry to fill the post as there are no competitions that involve the national Under-22 team next year.
But if the need arises, Maloney is likely to be the “go to” man. For the record, the Australian guided the Malaysia to silver in the AFF Under-19 Championship and under him, Malaysia qualified for the 2020 AFC Championship finals.
FAM deputy president Datuk Yusoff Mahadi said: “As there are no games next year for the under-22 team, we don’t have to focus too much on them.
“But, should there be any friendlies involving the Under-22 side, Maloney could fill in as an interim.”
Senior national team coach Tan Cheng Hoe could also be roped in as FAM can do like what the Vietnam Football Federation and FA of Thailand are doing — let the senior coaches be in charge of youth teams.
However, Yusoff said it is in their best interest to let Cheng Hoe focus fully on the pre-World Cup in March and June for the three remaining Group G matches.
“Before June (next year), we don’t want Cheng Hoe’s focus to run from the World Cup qualifiers. There’s only one portfolio for him and we haven’t thought about placing him there (as national Under-22 coach),” said Yusoff.
Meanwhile Maloney, whose contract with FAM will expire end of this month, said: “I haven’t thought about it (filling the Under-22 portfolio). There has been no formal discussion in regard to this.”