Nafuzi Zain has officially been confirmed as the new head coach of the Malaysia U19 national team, adding another major responsibility to his growing role in the country’s football development structure.
The announcement ends weeks of speculation surrounding who would take over the Malaysia U-19 setup following the departure of former Spanish coach Juan Torres Garrido, who last handled the squad in 2024.
The coaching vacancy became a hot topic after the impressive rise of the Malaysia U-17 side under Shukor Adan, who guided the young Tigers to the final of the 2026 ASEAN U-17 Championship. That success intensified calls for experienced local coaches to lead Malaysia’s youth national teams.
Several prominent names were linked with the position, including former national team coach Tan Cheng Hoe and ex-player-turned-coach Hairuddin Omar. However, national football legend Dollah Salleh strongly backed Nafuzi as the ideal candidate for the role.
Dollah pointed to Nafuzi’s extensive experience in developing young players during his coaching career, particularly with the Malaysia U-23 squad and his previous work in the domestic league.
“I hope Coach Nafuzi can prove himself because, for me, he truly deserves this position,” said Dollah.
“This role will further add to his experience, especially in handling and developing young players.”
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) officially confirmed Nafuzi’s appointment in a statement released during the group-stage draw announcement for the upcoming 2026 ASEAN U-19 Championship.
Malaysia have been drawn into Group B alongside Thailand, Singapore and Brunei for the tournament, which will be held in Medan, Indonesia from June 1 to June 13.
Beyond the ASEAN U-19 Championship, Nafuzi is also expected to lead preparations for the qualification campaign for the 2027 AFC U-20 Asian Cup, a competition viewed as a crucial pathway for the next generation of Malaysian football talent.
Credit Photo : FAM
