KUALA LUMPUR – The likely appointment of Tan Cheng Hoe as interim head coach of Harimau Malaya may serve as a sensible short-term measure, but the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) must avoid falling back on a pattern of recycled coaching appointments when naming a permanent successor to Peter Cklamovski, says veteran sports analyst Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli.
Pekan said Cheng Hoe, who is currently serving as the national team’s technical director, could provide much-needed stability in the lead-up to next month’s Hyundai Cup.
However, he cautioned that repeatedly returning to familiar figures would weaken efforts to introduce meaningful reform within the national setup.
Cklamovski recently departed his role by mutual agreement after an early termination of his contract, leaving FAM in search of a new head coach at a critical stage of the team’s development.
“For me, appointing Cheng Hoe as an interim coach is acceptable because it is only a temporary arrangement. But if we continue bringing back the same individuals, that is where the issue begins.
“We cannot become overly reliant on this recycling approach. If a coach previously achieved his key performance indicators or delivered positive results before being replaced due to factors such as the appointment of a foreign coach, that is understandable.
“However, repeatedly returning to the same names will inevitably draw criticism from supporters and netizens. We cannot continue operating within the same circle,” he told Scoop when contacted.
The senior lecturer at Universiti Teknologi MARA’s Faculty of Sports Science and Recreation said FAM should adopt a more systematic and professional framework in selecting Cklamovski’s successor, beginning with a thorough evaluation of both local and foreign candidates.
He proposed that the governing body establish a shortlist based on performance metrics, key performance indicators and coaching achievements at both Super League level and within youth development programmes.
“We need to identify and assess local candidates first before considering foreign coaches. After that, a decision can be made in a more organised and systematic manner.
“If possible, there should be a selection panel involved so the process is more transparent and not carried out in haste,” he said.
Pekan also urged FAM to ensure deserving local coaches are given fair opportunities, particularly those who have demonstrated strong performances at club level or within the national youth system.
With vacancies available across both senior and age-group national teams, he said the association should be open to promoting coaches who have earned progression through merit.
“We need to give them a chance. A coach may not be suitable for the senior national team but could be the right fit for the under-23 side. That is part of the natural coaching development pathway.
“If opportunities are not provided, we will continue seeing the same group of individuals occupying positions within the system. We need to widen the pool and create greater opportunities rather than limiting appointments to a select few.
“There are also situations where individuals who are not actively coaching any club side are appointed directly to the national team. From a coaching development perspective, that can appear rather unusual,” he added. – June 20, 2026