KUALA LUMPUR: Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim believes the appointment of Rob Friend as national team chief executive officer is the right move.
The Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) owner said Friend has the knowledge, qualifications and connections to lead the national team in the right direction.
"The best decision appointing a millionaire, highly qualified with good football knowledge, connected in the football world and someone who loves the sport," said Tunku Ismail on social media today (Dec 31).
"With this qualification, if one day Malaysia do not want him, JDT will welcome him with open arms."
The FA of Malaysia (FAM) announced Friend's appointment as national team CEO earlier today.
The Canadian comes with strong credentials both as a former player and administrator.
Friend played as a forward with Moss FC and Molde FK (both Norway), Borussia Monchengladbach, Hertha Berlin, Eintracht Frankfurt and 1860 Munich (Germany) and LA Galaxy (United States).
He has made 32 international appearances for Canada. He retired from competitive football in December 2014.
Among his major accomplishments off the pitch includes being a co-founder of the Canadian Football League (CFL) and helping the league increase its value to US$300 million (RM1.3 billion) in six years.
Friend had also served as co-founder and CEO of CPL sides Pacific FC (2019-2022) and co-founder and president of Vancouver FC (2022-2024).