Kim Pan-gon has resigned from the position as head coach of Malaysia national team for responsible for performance, according to a press conference at Wisma FAM today.
FAM Deputy President, Datuk Wira Mohd Yusoff Haji Mahadi, stated that the vacancy will be filled by the assistant national head coach, Pau Marti Vicente from Spain, who will serve as the acting national head coach. He will be assisted by another national assistant head coach, E. Elavarasan.
“Pan Gon met with FAM management to express his desire to shorten his contract duration. After several meetings where we tried to persuade him to reconsider, the management and the FAM Executive Committee respected his decision and agreed to release him by mutual consent, even though his contract was until December 2025,” said Datuk Wira Yusoff.
He added, “This is sad news for all of us because Pan Gon led the Harimau Malaya squad to qualify for the 2023 Asian Cup, and our FIFA ranking improved during his tenure. We are deeply saddened by his departure.”
The press conference at Wisma FAM, Kelana Jaya, was also attended by FAM Deputy President Dato’ S. Sivasundaram, FAM Secretary General Datuk Noor Azman Hj Rahman, FAM Technical Director Scott O’Donell, and Pan Gon himself.
Datuk Wira Yusoff confirmed that other coaching staff members, including assistant coach Park Bobae, goalkeeper coach Cho Junho, fitness coach Jihyeon Park, and performance analysis coach Lim Jaehun, will continue to assist Pau Marti and Elavarasan with the Harimau Malaya squad.
“Pau Marti’s first task as acting head coach will be to lead the team in the 2024 Pestabola Merdeka competition at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil, this September, with the participation of Tajikistan, Lebanon, and the Philippines,” he explained.
“The FAM National Teams Management Committee will continue to evaluate and monitor the Harimau Malaya squad’s performance under Pau Marti, especially ahead of the 2024 Mitsubishi Electric ASEAN Cup in November and December and the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers starting next March,” he added.
Pan Gon described his two and a half years in Malaysia since February 2022 as a wonderful and extraordinary journey, particularly leading the Harimau Malaya squad to qualify for the Asian Cup on merit after 43 years.
“Today, I step down as head coach due to personal commitments. I apologize for any disappointment this may cause. Malaysians have gifted me an extraordinary journey. In June 2022, we celebrated Malaysia’s qualification for the Asian Cup on merit after 43 years, and we rose to 130th in the FIFA ranking. In our last action at the 2023 Asian Cup in Qatar, we managed to draw 3-3 with the Republic of Korea, ranked 22nd in the world, showcasing the pride Malaysians should have in their football,” said Pan Gon.
“Although we did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup Qualifying finals, with three wins, one draw, two losses, and 10 points, we have laid a foundation and momentum for a bright future for Malaysian football,” he added.
Pan Gon thanked FAM President Datuk Haji Hamidin Haji Mohd Amin, Youth and Sports Minister YB Hannah Yeoh, the government, Malaysian League clubs, and supporters, especially Ultras Malaya, for their support during his tenure.
“From the bottom of my heart, I am very grateful to everyone who supported me and the national team. I hope that FAM, the government, and all Malaysians will continue to support and encourage the national team to achieve their next goal, which is to qualify for the Asian Cup for the second time in a row. Now, as a ‘half’ Malaysian, I will always support the Malaysian football team and be proud of Malaysia wherever I go,” concluded Pan Gon.
Credit Photo : Simon Yap/SNE-Photo
