KUALA LUMPUR – The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has admitted that they failed to convince Kim Pan-gon to continue his role as the head coach of the national team.
Earlier, FAM held a surprise press conference announcing the resignation of the 55-year-old, citing his personal commitments as the reason for the decision.
There were also rumours that Pan-gon and his coaching team were planning to quit the national team in March this year if their services were no longer required, but Pan-gon later denied the speculation.
Pan-gon, who has been with the squad since 2022, played a pivotal role in transforming the national team’s fortunes on the international stage, guiding them to qualify for the Asian Cup on merit after a 42-year absence.
The South Korean coach also led Harimau Malaya to a second-place finish in the 2022 Thai King’s Cup and the 2023 Merdeka Tournament.
FAM deputy president Datuk Yusoff Mahadi said that the higher management of the governing body “had to shorten Pan-gon’s existing contract” out of his own will.
“He had an existing contract until the end of next year but he told us that he wants to shorten it. We tried convincing him but we failed.
“Of course, we are sad because of his great contribution in bringing Harimau Malaya to the Asian Cup, and our world ranking has also increased in these two years.
“But we are ready to move on as Pan-gon has created a legacy, and we believe that his coaching staff members who will remain in their positions will continue Pan-gon’s legacy,” Yusoff said.
Pau Marti Vicente will take over as acting head coach of Harimau Malaya in the meantime until his contract expires at the end of 2025.
Pan-gon will be the only member leaving the coaching staff, and Vicente will be supported by assistant head coach E. Elaravasan.
Malaysia were ranked 154th in the world when Pan-gon took over and now ranked 135th in the world. – July 16, 2024