KUALA LUMPUR — It looks like the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) have finally found a candidate to take over the Harimau Malaya top post after current head coach Pau Marti Vicente revealed that the upcoming AFF Cup will be his last assignment with the national team.
Pau Marti, who arrived in Malaysia in 2022 as an assistant coach to Kim Pan-gon, was promoted in August following the shocking resignation of the South Korean coach in July.
Despite promoting Pau Marti, FAM had the intention of continuing to look for a coach who could be better than Pan-gon, who had led the national squad to qualify for the Asian Cup after 42 years.
“I would like to inform you that the AFF Cup 2024 will be my final assignment as the head coach of Harimau Malaya. This decision comes following communication with the FAM regarding the restructure of the national team’s management.
“As part of this restructure, a new Harimau Malaya head coach and coaching staff will be appointed for the Asian Cup Qualifiers 2027 campaign beginning next year.
“Consequently, my coaching staff and I will conclude our tenure with the Harimau Malaya squad at the end of the AFF Cup campaign.
“It would have been a pleasure to continue this journey together, as we have experienced an amazing three years in Malaysia filled with unforgettable memories,” said Pau Marti in an official statement released by FAM today.
Under Pau Marti’s guidance, the national squad recorded three wins, a 4-0 loss to New Zealand, and a 1-1 draw against India.
These friendly matches were part of Harimau Malaya’s preparation series ahead of their AFF Cup campaign in Group A, set to kick off on Sunday. – December 5, 2024