KUALA LUMPUR – Tan Cheng Hoe has made a surprise return to the Harimau Malaya dugout after being appointed interim head coach following the departure of Peter Cklamovski, in a move aimed at restoring stability and momentum to the national team.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) announced the appointment today, citing Cheng Hoe’s extensive coaching experience, proven track record and deep understanding of the Malaysian football landscape.
“FAM is confident that his experience, expertise and knowledge of Malaysian football will be an important asset in efforts to strengthen the performance of the national team,” the association said in a statement.
Cheng Hoe, 58, is among Malaysia’s most accomplished coaches, having served in various roles within the national setup over the past two decades.
According to FAM, his journey with the national teams began as assistant coach of the Malaysia Under-20 squad from 2005 to 2009 before taking on a similar role with the Under-23 side between 2009 and 2010.
He subsequently served as assistant coach of the senior national team from 2009 to 2013 and returned to the role in 2017 before being appointed head coach in December that year. He remained in charge until December 2021.
Among his notable achievements were helping Malaysia win the gold medal at the 2009 SEA Games and lift the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup as assistant coach under K. Rajagobal.
As head coach, Cheng Hoe guided Malaysia to the final of the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup, where Harimau Malaya finished runners-up.
At club level, he enjoyed considerable success with Kedah, leading the side to the 2015 Premier League title before steering the Canaries to victory in the 2016 Malaysia Cup and the 2017 Charity Shield.
FAM said Cheng Hoe also established Kedah as one of the most consistent teams in Malaysian football during his tenure.
Following his success with Kedah, he went on to coach Selangor from 2022 to 2024 before moving to Thailand to take charge of Police Tero FC.
In April 2025, he returned to FAM after being appointed national team technical director.
The appointment comes days after Scoop reported that Cheng Hoe had emerged as the preferred candidate to replace Cklamovski should the Australian leave Harimau Malaya.
Sources had indicated that the former national coach was viewed as the ideal choice to ensure continuity and stability within the national setup amid growing uncertainty over Cklamovski’s future.
FAM expressed hope that Cheng Hoe’s appointment would provide a fresh boost for Harimau Malaya as the national side seeks to improve its standing and competitiveness on the Asian and international stage.
“FAM hopes the appointment of Cheng Hoe as interim head coach of the national team will provide a new boost to Harimau Malaya in its efforts to enhance the team’s performance on the Asian and international stage,” the statement added. — June 25, 2026