Strictly business: Ong Kim Swee posing as the new coach of Indonesian club Persis Solo.
PETALING JAYA: Datuk Ong Kim Swee’s move to Indonesia to coach struggling first division side Persis Solo has certainly raised the eyebrows of many.
The former national coach has been riding high with Sabah in the Super League, with the Rhinos in third spot and after a superb five-game winning streak in all competitions.
In contrast, Persis are languishing second from bottom in the 18-team league in Indonesia.
Kim Swee surely has his work cut out to raise the team, but it’s a not a task that he finds daunting.
After 20 years of coaching in Malaysia, where he started from the grassroots, working his way to the Harimau Malaya team and then Sabah, Kim Swee felt the time was ripe for him to seek a new challenge outside the country.
“It’s a challenge I welcome as I’ve always wanted to work abroad and I’ll savour my first stint overseas. I also want to show that Malaysian coaches can do well in other countries ,” said Kim Swee
“Many have asked me why I decided to join a team in the relegation zone when I was doing well with Sabah.
“I could have stayed on, stayed in my comfort zone but when Persis told me they believed that I could steer them forward, I decided to make the move.
“Now that I am in Solo, I plan to work on the chemistry among the players in the team. Not just on the field, but off it as well. When that happens, then we can see changes.”
Persis, whose president is Kaesang Pangarep, son of former Indonesian president Joko Widodo, have played 11 games so far in the league before Kim Swee’s arrival.
Kim Swee said he would have a thorough look at the entire set-up before deciding on the changes that he will make.
He is also looking at signing new players during the transfer window next month but has ruled out snapping up any players from Sabah.
“I need to review the team’s previous playing style.
‘‘During training sessions, based on the quality we have, I will then determine the best approach to our game play.
“I understand that the club have many young players and that is a strength. However, to compete at the highest level, we need a combination of experienced and young players.
“It’s crucial to establish a playing style and balance in every position,” said Kim Swee, who takes over the Persis coaching job from Bosnian Milomir Seslija.
Kim Swee has become only the third Malaysian coach to take charge of an Indonesian club, after Irfan Bakti and Raja Isa Raja Ikram.
