KUALA LUMPUR: Starting next year, assistant coaches in the M-League will require more than just boots and tracksuits — they must have the necessary qualifications.
In a bid to improve the quality of local coaching, the Malaysian Football League (MFL) will enforce stricter licensing requirements for assistant coaches.
Both head and assistant coaches of M-League teams will need to hold a Professional A Licence.
Football Coaches Association of Malaysia (FCAM) president Datuk Ong Kim Swee confirmed the upcoming change.
"MFL intends to implement this from next season, meaning both head coaches and their assistants must hold professional licences to be eligible to coach in the M-League," said Kim Swee.
However, Kim Swee cautioned that holding a Pro Licence does not guarantee employment, drawing a comparison to university graduates entering the job market.
"Earning a Pro Licence doesn't promise a job. It's like a student earning a degree — just because you've completed the course doesn't mean you'll get a job right away," he said.
He added that while many aspire to coach in the Super League, there are opportunities across various levels of Malaysian football, including academies, where aspiring coaches can build their careers.
Currently, 62 coaches with Professional A Licences are registered with FCAM.
Obtaining this prestigious qualification requires significant personal and financial commitment, with some coaches investing up to RM66,000 to earn the AFC Pro Diploma.
Meanwhile, a two-day international football coaching seminar, organised by FCAM, began yesterday. Presentations were delivered by national Under-23 fitness coach Oscar Balaguer Cabeza, Mokhtar Dahari Academy technical director Oscar Gonzalez Diaz and Japan FA technical director Masanaga Kageyama.