Selangor Journal
Harimau Malaya head coach Kim Pan Gon speaks to the press after a training session at Wisma FAM, Petaling Jaya, on November 29, 2022. — Picture by BERNAMA

Hamidin disappointed with Pan Gon’s resignation

KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 — Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin is disappointed with Kim Pan Gon’s sudden resignation as Harimau Malaya’s head coach yesterday.

This is because Kim, who took over the reins in 2022, had previously said he was fully committed to seeing out his contract with Harimau Malaya until December 2025.

“I want to thank Pan Gon because, in the two-and-a-half years he was with us, the national team’s ranking improved, and Malaysia qualified on merit for the Asian Cup Finals after 42 years. His huge contribution will never be forgotten.

“But then, coaches come and go. That is the reality. So, even though Harimau Malaya will be without Pan Gon, I hope all Malaysians will give their undivided support to Pau Martí Vicente and the Harimau Malaya squad, starting with the 2024 Merdeka Football Tournament in September,” he said in a post on FAM’s Facebook page today.

Kim resigned as the national football team head coach yesterday, citing personal commitments. FAM then appointed assistant coach Vicente as acting head coach and E. Elavarasan as his assistant.

Meanwhile, Hamidin said he discussed Harimau Malaya’s direction and plans when he met Vicente in Mallorca, Spain, today.

He is currently in Spain as the Malaysian chef-de-mission for the 2024 Paris Olympics Games to monitor the national track cycling team undergoing training there.

“Coincidentally, Vicente is also holidaying in Spain. I contacted him to come to Mallorca today to discuss his direction and plans for the team after he was announced as acting head coach for the national team.

“Although we are both stunned by Pan Gon’s drastic decision to quit the team, Vicente said he is ready to shoulder the responsibility left behind by the South Korean and will continue to bolster the Harimau Malaya squad,” said Hamidin.

He also assured that FAM will continue to support and give full attention to the Harimau Malaya squad’s needs to ensure they can continue to improve their Fifa world ranking and gear up for the 2024 Merdeka Football Tournament and the 2024 Asean Football Federation Cup in November.

Meanwhile, Vicente said he and his panel of coaches will continue with what Kim had implemented to ensure consistency within the Harimau Malaya squad.

Besides thanking Hamidin for having faith in him, he is also confident that the existing coaching lineup will stay together to take the national team to a higher level.

“We always speak about consistency. Not for a year or two. But we want this team to continue to perform consistently for a longer period and never look back,” Vicente said.

Although sad about Kim’s resignation, the former Barcelona Under-18 team assistant coach is also grateful to the South Korean for convincing him to leave Spain to handle the Malaysian team.

Kim played a pivotal role in raising the national team’s performance on the international stage, including helping the team to reach the 130th position in the world in November last year, which also happens to be Harimau Malaya’s best position in the past 17 years.

The former South Korea FA technical director also steered the Harimau Malaya to runner-up positions in the 2022 Thai King’s Cup and 2023 Merdeka Football Tournament.

— Bernama

(from left to right) Football Association of Malaysia president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin shakes hands with Harimau Malaya acting head coach Pau Martí Vicente in Mallorca, Spain, on July 17, 2024. — Picture via FACEBOOK/FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA

 

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