KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 — Selangor FC has appointed Michael Feichtenbeiner as the new head coach for next season, replacing Karsten Neitzel.
Selangor FC’s Technical Committee chairman Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar said despite the new responsibility, Feichtenbeiner will also continue in his role as the club’s sporting director to bring the club forward.
The Red Giants’ were knocked out of the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals and finished fifth in the Super League this season.
“We have seen the capability that Michael has shown during his spell as caretaker (coach) at the end of last season. Introducing a blend of young players and senior players, as well as playing high pressing quick transition football is in the best interest of Selangor FC.
“This is aligned with our vision to build a strong team for the future. We are more confident than ever that, under his leadership, we are heading in the right direction,” he said in a statement yesterday.
The Stuttgart-born Feichtenbeiner started his coaching spell as youth coach of VfB Stuttgart before joining Swiss club BSC Old Boys Basel as head coach and has spent most of his coaching career in Germany.
“Michael notably made waves in the DFB Cup in 2019-2020 with Bundesliga 2 (Germany’s second division football league) club, Stuttgarter Kickers, by defeating three Bundesliga clubs (Borrusia Dortmund, Arminia Bielefeld and SC Freiburg) en route to the semi-finals, where they were finally eliminated by Werder Bremen after extra time,” the statement read.
Feichtenbeiner has also coached MPPJ FC in 2005-2006, when he saved them from being relegated to Malaysia Premier League, besides leading Bintang Medan FC from 2010-2011 as well as coaching the Germany Under-15 and 17 national teams.
He returned to Malaysia in December 2019 as Selangor’s sporting director and was also tasked with coaching the reserve team — Selangor FC 2.
Meanwhile, Selangor FC chief executive officer Dr Johan Kamal Hamidon earlier said the new tactician will analyse the performances of the players as soon as he begins his new role, with the team’s preparation set to begin on December 27.
“Most of our players will be retained, especially young and major players, maybe 10-15 per cent of them will not be retained. Looking for a budget will be our main challenge following the Covid-19 pandemic, ” he said.
— Bernama
