Kota Kinabalu: Alto Linus and Martin Stano are given the task to take over as interim coaches for Sabah FC following the departure of Datuk Ong Kim Swee.
Alto was the assistant coach to Ong before being assigned to coach the Under-23 squad for their MFL Cup campaign in July, while Martin has been the team’s fitness coach for the last two and half seasons.
A statement released by team manager Rafie Roberts on Sunday said that Sabah Football Association’s (Safa) supreme council had unanimously agreed to retain the existing coaching line-up so as not to disrupt the team’s momentum.
“The existing coaching staff understood the training pattern and tactics of Datuk Ong well enough and we do not want to disturb what has been implemented so far.
“We want all parties including the players to go through the training process as usual, be focused and be able to maintain the winning momentum.
“We don’t want them to be affected by a drastic change with the introduction of a new coach in the near future,” he said.
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Rafie, who was appointed team manager this season, admitted feeling lost with the departure of Ong.
“We all feel the loss but we cannot stop in our tracks as a result. What is important right now is that all the players need to be ready to take on the task by ensuring that the targets set by the management can be met.”
Sabah FC’s first match under the new coaching team will be the second leg Malaysia Cup last 16 tie against PT Athletic FC at Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium, Cheras on Wednesday (November 27).
Meanwhile, it was a perfect send-off for departing coach Ong as Sabah FC thrashed PT Athletic FC 4-0 in the first leg away tie on Saturday.
There was no sign of the home side creating any upset right from the start as Sabah FC were in total control and it took 12 minutes for Saddil Ramdani to score the opener with a deflected shot after a layoff from Darren Lok.
The second goal came in the 18th minute when Danial Haqim Draman struck home from close range after the initial effort by Ko Kwangmin was blocked.
Darren, who had earlier missed the target by inches, was denied by the crossbar again in the 35th minute with a ferocious shot.
PT Athletic thought they had scored in the 57th following a long range effort by captain Indra Putra Mahayuddin but it was later ruled offside in the build-up by the Video Referee Assistance (VAR).
Daniel Ting extended Sabah FC’s lead in the 75th minutes with a grounder after Joao Petro’s initial acrobatic bicycle kick was punched out by the oppositions’ goalkeeper.
The home side then conceded the fourth with an own goal by Muhammad Yusri Yuhasmadi deep in injury time.
Ong in his parting advice urged the players to build on the momentum in the remaining matches.
“Despite the big score, They must make sure that they are able to maintain the momentum. This is important because the next team won’t be as easy if the team (Sabah) progress to the next round,” he said.
He also believes that his departure won’t have any negative effect on the team.
“The players are very professional individually and they know their roles. They need to be focused and able to adapt to the new pattern of play from the coach who will be replacing me.
“With strong and positive mentality from the players I believe the team are on a very good path.”
Meanwhile, Ong said he will only decide on his future in the coming days and admitted that he had some offers both locally and from abroad.
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