PETALING JAYA: Many are rubbing their hands in glee as they wait eagerly for the arrival of new national coach Peter Cklamovski to transform the country’s football scene.
Can Cklamovski do better than his predecessors Kim Pan-gon and Pau Marti Vicente?
Some of their former greats led by Safee Sali think so, and are hoping that the Australian will make a difference but some are still wary.
Yesterday, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) announced that they have appointed Cklamovski to change the fortunes of the national team.
And they have set immediate targets for him – to qualify for the Asian Cup 2027 and also get Malaysia to be among the top 100 nations in the FIFA rankings. Malaysia are ranked 132nd now.
The FAM have also named Nafuzi Zain as the Under-23 coach.
The hiring of Cklamovski is part of the “New Era of Malaysian Football” movement that will be overseen by Johor regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, which will include changes and improvements to enhance management, technological utilisation and medical support.
Legendary national striker Safee said the appointment of Cklamovski was groundbreaking and as a fan of the game, he hoped to see immediate improvements in terms of results in international football.
“This is a big change. The game is evolving in many ways and we have to catch up and stay abreast. I hope to see immediate results,” said Safee, who is also the Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia (PFAM) president.
The 46-year-old Cklamovski has over 15 years of experience, having worked under Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou. Together, they led Australia to win the 2015 Asian Cup and Yokohama F. Marinos to clinch the 2019 J1 League title.
“I hope that Cklamovski can form a good synergy with Nafuzi. Hope they can move forward in the same direction and help with the transition of Under-23 players to the Harimau Malaya setup seamlessly,” said Safee.
“I’m happy with the appointment of Nafuzi as I know his character and his ability to lead the team with his modern tactics. He is the right person.”
Safee further added that Tunku Ismail was the right man to oversee the project.
“Look at what he has done with his club Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), they have won so many trophies. He is the right person for this project because he has the power and connections in the world football community.”
Meanwhile, former football coach M. Karathu said Cklamovski may need time, especially in selecting players as he would be new to this part of the world.
“As a foreign coach, he may need time to get to know the new faces and develop the team’s character and attitude.
“It is a tough task because he does not only need to monitor the players but depend on others for selection,” said Karathu, whose coaching career spanned from 1989 to 2015.
“One could argue that England have a foreign coach too, but Thomas Tuchel used to work in the Premier League, so he would have been used to English players during his time as Chelsea coach.
“I understand FAM want to bring in results, and believe he is the man to do it.
“They have placed some high-level targets, so I can’t wait to see when he (Cklamovski) starts his job.”
Both Cklamovski and Nafuzi will officially begin their duties with FAM on Jan 1, 2025.
FAM also plan to appoint a new CEO and experienced medical team to support their restructuring plan.
A new era is here and it is hoped that Cklamovski and Nafuzi will be able to chart a better future for Malaysian football.
FACT FILE
NATIONAL COACH
Name: Peter Cklamovski
Date of birth: Oct 16, 1978
Place of birth: Sydney, Australia
Coaching history
2008-2009 - Panahaiki assistant coach
2009-2010 - Perth Glory fitness coach
2010-2011 - Australia Under-17 and Under-20 assistant coach
2011-2012 - Adelaide United fitness coach
2012-2014 - Melbourne Victory assistant coach
2014-2018 - Australia assistant coach
2017-2018 - Australia Under-17 manager
2018-2019 - Yokohama F.Marinos assistant coach
2020 - Shimizu S-Pulse manager
2021-2023 - Montedio Yamagata coach
2023-2024 - FC Tokyo coach
Coaching achievements
2015 - AFC Asian Cup 2015 champion (Australia assistant coach)
2019 - J1 League champion (Yokohama F-Marinos assistant coach)
NATIONAL U-23 COACH
Name: Nafuzi Zain
Date of birth: Oct 27, 1978
Place of birth: Kelantan, Malaysia
Coaching history
2011-2014 - Kelantan President Cup assistant coach
2015 - Kelantan President Cup coach
2016 - T-Team President Cup coach
2017-2019 - Terengganu assistant coach
2020-2022 - Terengganu coach
2023-2024 - Kedah coach
Coaching achievements
2015 - President Cup champion (Kelantan President Cup coach)
2022 - Super League runners-up and FA Cup runners-up (Terengganu coach)
