KOTA KINABALU — Sabah FC has announced that it will retain its existing coaching staff and will not appoint a new head coach this season to replace Datuk Ong Kim Swee, whose contract ends in November.
Sabah FC team manager Rafie Robert said the decision was unanimously agreed upon by the club’s management and the Sabah Football Association (SAFA) Supreme Council.
“The current coaching staff have a solid understanding of the training patterns and tactics implemented under Kim Swee.
“We are confident that the existing players are already compatible with the approach applied by coach Kim Swee and are trying to maintain the momentum that has been introduced for a long time,” Rafie said in a statement today.
He emphasised the importance of continuity, stating that introducing drastic changes at this stage could disrupt the team’s progress.
“Our focus is to ensure players continue their training as usual and maintain the winning momentum. A sudden change in the coaching setup could take time to adjust, which we want to avoid,” he added.
While acknowledging Kim Swee’s departure as a significant loss for the team, Rafie urged the squad to move forward with the current coaching lineup to prepare for upcoming Malaysia Cup and Super League matches.
In Sabah FC’s final match under Kim Swee yesterday, against PT Athletic FC in the Malaysia Cup, the coaching team included assistant head coach Mohammad Faisal Ahmad, goalkeeper coach Irwan Jamil, and fitness coach Martin Stano.
Kim Swee observed the game as his last act before departing the team. — November 24, 2024