KUALA LUMPUR: Pau Marti Vicente has received the full backing of outgoing Harimau Malaya coach Kim Pan Gon, who believes the Spaniard will do a fantastic job as the caretaker coach.
Vicente, formerly an assistant to Pan Gon, will now prepare the national team for the Merdeka Tournament on Sept. 2-10, followed by the AFF Cup on Nov. 23-Dec. 31.
If everything goes well, Vicente could guide the team in the Asian Cup qualifiers, which start in March.
Pan Gon said the team can expect a smooth transition under Vicente.
"Vicente has the quality and enough knowledge to coach Harimau Malaya.
"He is an expert and the brains behind everything when I was the head coach. I was just the leader of the coaching staff. I believe he can do well."
It will be Vicente's first role as head coach after serving as assistant coach at Barcelona B and their Under-18 squad.
He was also the assistant coach at Australia's Adelaide United and Hong Kong's Kitchee SC.
Meanwhile, FAM deputy president Datuk Yusoff Mahadi said Pan Gon's coaching staff will remain with the national team.
"We cannot make significant changes to the coaching setup as it could affect the team's preparations for upcoming assignments.
"It will also be challenging to find a replacement coach on short notice. We will evaluate Vicente's performance and proceed accordingly," said Yusoff.