PETALING JAYA: Names have not been mentioned but based on the credentials mentioned by Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the first ever Harimau Malaya chief executive officer (CEO) could be a former pro.
The rumour mill is on overdrive after the Johor regent and Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) owner, who is overseeing the national team project, said he is almost done identifying the individual.
Many are claiming that former Australian international Tim Cahill is the man, but sources say he is only in the project as an adviser.
Some of the names that have been linked to the post are Kuala Lumpur CEO Stanley Bernard Samuel (left), former national striker and Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia (PFAM) president Safee Sali (right).
Stanley’s name is strongly linked as there have been pictures of him together with Tunku Ismail in some events held in Johor.
For Tunku Ismail, the perfect candidate is someone who knows the Malaysian game well.
“The chief executive officer of the Malaysian national team must be someone who understands football and knows what the sport is professionally so he could relate to the technical, commercial and interpersonal aspects of football,” said Tunku Ismail on his Instagram story.
“He must be well connected in the football industry with strong ties with successful football individuals to chart Harimau Malaya’s path.
“He must be someone who has not only played at a high level but is also an entrepreneur that could drive Harimau Malaya’s commercial interest.”
Tunku Ismail further added that he must be able to advise the league on policies that would, directly and indirectly, improve the standing of the national team because a strong league with more well-managed teams will lift the standards of Malaysian football.
This will be the first the national team will have a CEO on board to manage the team.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) recently announced the hiring of Australian Peter Cklamovski as the head coach of the national team.
Meanwhile, Tunku Ismail added that the hunt for heritage-based players continued and revealed that he spoke to some of them.
“Some do not even know where Malaysia is. Their exact words - I am not Malaysian and where is Malaysia anyway. We have done our research and approach.
“The scouting continues and we will widen it.”
