"Today, I have decided to step down as head coach of Malaysian national team due to my personal commitment
Coach Kim Pan Gon rocked Malaysian football on Tuesday by suddenly calling for a press conference at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya to announce his resignation as the national team head coach.
The South Korean said he was stepping down due to personal reasons.
Malaysian fans will be sad to see him go as Pan Gon has proved himself to be one of the most successful coaches in Malaysian football history.
With a success rate of 57.14 per cent, thanks to 20 wins in 35 games, Pan Gon surpassed his predecessors like Tan Cheng Hoe and Datuk Ong Kim Swee.
Appointed by FAM on January 21, 2022, Pan Gon's 907-day tenure was marked by significant achievements and moments that endeared him to Malaysian fans.
He turned the national team into a leading regional team, with a more technical and aggressive style of play.
This transformation led to Harimau Malaya qualifying for the Asian Cup for the first time in 43 years.
One of Pan Gon's most memorable moments was leading Malaysia to a 3-3 draw against a mighty South Korea that were captained by Tottenham Hotspur superstar Son Heung Min.
Under his leadership, Malaysia's world ranking remarkably improved from 154 to the current 134.
Pan Gon was more than just a coach; he was a fatherly or brotherly figure to his players. Known for his stern, tactical, yet caring approach, he earned their respect and admiration.
Pan Gon's caring nature was evident when he was moved to tears when visiting Faisal Halim at a hospital after the winger was horrifically attacked by acid in May by an unknown assailant.
However, sadly despite the national team's improvement, some netizens had told Pan Gon to resign after Malaysia failed to advance in the Asian Cup, and after the two losses to Oman in the World Cup qualifiers.
And even after announcing his resignation, Pan Gon found himself caught in controversy, leading to him apologising for being misquoted due to his weak command of the English language.
Among his memorable quotes, Pan Gon used the metaphor, "the rice is still cooking" when urging fans to be patient with the national team.
During the Asian Cup in Qatar in January, Pan Gon, when commenting on the pressure and expectations, quipped that the grey suit he wore against South Korea might be his last.
He had also expressed his frustration with netizens after they constantly messaged him on Instagram about player selections and with their demands.
Despite the turn of events, Pan Gon assured that he will remain involved in Malaysian football in some capacity, considering himself half Malaysian at heart.
Thank you, Kim Pan Gon.