KUALA LUMPUR – Tan Cheng Hoe’s future as Harimau Malaya’s interim head coach remains uncertain despite guiding Malaysia to third place in the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup, with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) understood to be preparing a major overhaul of the national team’s coaching structure.
Cheng Hoe, who led Malaysia to a 1-0 victory over Vietnam in the third-place playoff at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (GBK), Jakarta, yesterday, said he was ready to continue serving the national team if given the opportunity.
However, the Kedahan acknowledged that the final decision on his position rests with FAM.
“As for my position, I leave it to FAM to make the decision. As long as I am able to contribute, I will pour all my effort and experience into this national team,” Cheng Hoe told Scoop when contacted.
Scoop understands that FAM intends to retain Cheng Hoe in the interim role until December while the association works towards finalising an agreement to bring in a Japanese technical team and head coach to oversee the national side.
The proposed restructuring is understood to form part of FAM’s longer-term plans to establish a new technical direction for Harimau Malaya.
A decision on Cheng Hoe’s future is expected once the arrangements for the new coaching set-up are finalised.
Sources within FAM told Scoop that the association is currently focused on ensuring a smooth transition while assessing the technical requirements and personnel needed to lead the national team into its next phase.
“For now, FAM will continue with the existing arrangement and allow Cheng Hoe to carry on with his responsibilities while the association works on the next phase of the national team,” the source said.
“The priority is to make sure the transition is properly planned, rather than rushing into a decision immediately after the FIFA ASEAN Cup. FAM will look at the technical structure, the head coach and the overall direction before making any announcement,” the source added.
It is understood that former Selangor head coach and Serbia national team assistant coach Katsuhito Kinoshi is among the names being linked with the Harimau Malaya head coach position.
The Japanese coach, who has previously worked in Malaysia with Selangor, is understood to be among the candidates being considered as FAM explores its options for the new technical set-up.
While his immediate future appears likely to be secured in the short term, Cheng Hoe said Malaysia’s third-place finish was built on team spirit rather than individual brilliance or star players.
He said the squad had developed a strong family-like bond throughout the tournament, both on and off the pitch.
“Yes, the team’s success came from the spirit of playing as one team, as one family that wanted to win and was hungry for victory.
“We were truly focused not only on the pitch, but at the same time we were also very focused off the pitch, mixing and building relationships as one family with big ambitions,” he said.
Cheng Hoe said the third-place finish was also a reward for the supporters who travelled to Indonesia to back the team, as well as those who continued to support Harimau Malaya from home.
“This is a victory for everyone, a victory for the supporters who came to Indonesia and those who have always supported us back home,” he added.
Despite ending the campaign on a positive note, Cheng Hoe warned that the result should not be treated as the end of Malaysia’s rebuilding process.
He said Harimau Malaya must continue improving and developing a stronger squad to meet the challenges ahead.
“Of course, our journey is still a long one and we still need to build a better team in the future.
“Even though we have achieved this success, if we want to go further, we have to work even harder to make sure we remain on the right path and reach our best level one day,” he said.
Malaysia secured third place after Fergus Tierney’s 61st-minute strike sealed a 1-0 win over Vietnam, with the result extending the national side’s unbeaten run in the tournament.
Harimau Malaya also completed the campaign without conceding a goal in their final four matches. – October 6, 2026