KUALA LUMPUR: Harimau Malaya are preparing for a new chapter, with the addition of three former Barcelona staff members to their ranks.
The appointments are part of an effort by the FA of Malaysia (FAM) to improve the national team's performance on the international stage.
Pau Marti, who previously served as the assistant coach for Barcelona's Under-18 team, is currently acting as the caretaker coach for Harimau Malaya.
He stepped into the role following the departure of Kim Pan Gon, who left the position to manage South Korea's Ulsan Hyundai.
The team will begin centralised training at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya tomorrow to prepare for the Merdeka Tournament on Sept 4-8.
FAM also announced the appointments of Dr Xavier Valle and Edu Martinez, both of whom have extensive experience with Barcelona's first team.
Dr. Valle, who served as Barcelona's first-team doctor from the 2021/22 season until the end of the 2023/24 season, will now work as a consulting doctor for Harimau Malaya.
He will collaborate closely with the national team's medical staff to provide expertise and guidance.
Martinez, who worked as a physiotherapist at Barcelona for 12 years, including a recent stint as the first-team physiotherapist from December 2022 to June 2024, has already arrived in Malaysia to begin his role with the team.