FORMER Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) coach Mario Gomez has been appointed as the new chief coach of Harimau Malaysia (national football squad), replacing Datuk Datuk Ong Kim Swee.Meanwhile, Kim Swee has been entrusted the task of coaching the national Under-23 squad.The development saw the ouster of U-23 coach, Frank Bernhardt from the FA of Malaysia's (FAM) football development plans under the new leadership of FAM headed by the Tunku Mahkota of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
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Tunku Ismail, in his first media conference after winning the president's post unopposed during FAM's 53rd Congress here Sunday, said Gomez was given full trust and freedom to form a national team including picking his own assistants.However, Tunku Ismail explained that close monitoring would still be done and if there were no signs of improvements in the given period, Gomez would be replaced.
"Mario Gomez has been appointed as the new national head coach and I will give him the freedom to choose his assistants. Meanwhile, Datuk Ong Kim Swee will take over the U-23 squad."Obviously, I will monitor his work and the performance of the national team.
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If there is no improvement in the style of gameplay and performance, then we have to change," he said.In the meantime, he explained that the dismissal of Bernhardt was due to their different ideologies and working styles.
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"I can't work with him, we have very different views and ways of working," he added. Meanwhile, Kim Swee is prepared to shoulder his new duties to guide the national Under-22 squad after Football Association of Malaysia's (FAM) new president announced the decision Saturday.Kim Swee said he accepted the decision with mixed feelings of surprise and being appreciated because his services were still needed."I am still entrusted by the new president and this mandate means a lot to me and there is much that I need to do with the national young squad.
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"I hope I can meet with the president soon to draw up plans to face the Under-22 Asia Cup qualification and the SEA Games in August," he told reporters after the FAM Congress Sunday.The Melaka-born coach was also of the opinion that he would not face any problem to guide the Under-22 squad as he was already experienced on the matter. "This is the fourth time I will be with the SEA Games team, thus giving me a lot of experience and advantage. – Bernama