KUALA LUMPUR: FA Malaysia president Datuk Hamidin Amin has hit out at South Korean Kim Pan Gon after he abruptly quit his post as chief coach of the national football team.
Hamidin, at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, accused Pan Gon of lack of transparency regarding his resignation from FAM.
The FAM president expressed regret that Pan Gon, whom he had personally scouted for the national job, had not been forthcoming about his intentions.
Hamidin said Pan Gon had used "family reasons" as an excuse when in fact he was going to join Korean club Ulsan HD.
Hamidin said he met with Pan Gon for three consecutive days over the issue. "He was persistent and seemed desperate. Despite having a contract until the end of next year (2025), he repeatedly asked to be released, citing family reasons," said Hamidin.
However, Hamidin said Pan Gon departed from FAM unprofessionally.
"My deputy presidents, Datuk Yusoff Mahadi and Datuk S. Sivasundaram addressed the media about the situation, but I was disappointed with Pan Gon's subsequent interviews and his exploitation of the narrative that painted him as a victim," said Hamidin.
It later came to light that Pan Gon had secured a deal with Ulsan HD while on an extended holiday.
"His actions were unprofessional and left us to deal with the fallout," said Hamidin.