Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has unveiled Rob Friend, a Canadian football icon, as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Team. Friend will lead the Harimau Malaya squad’s transformation under a newly structured framework, beginning January 2025.
Friend’s appointment follows FAM’s announcement on 16 December 2024 of two major coaching roles: Peter Cklamovski from Australia as head coach of the senior national team and Nafuzi Zain as head coach of the U-23 team. Both appointments are set to take effect alongside Friend’s tenure, signifying a comprehensive overhaul in FAM’s approach to elevating Malaysian football.
Rob Friend, born in Rosetown, Saskatchewan, is a former Canadian international striker with an illustrious playing career. He represented clubs across Europe and North America, including Moss FC and Molde FK in Norway, Borussia Monchengladbach, Hertha Berlin, Eintracht Frankfurt, and 1860 Munich in Germany, and LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer (MLS) Between 2003 and 2011, he earned 32 international caps for the Canadian national team, scoring multiple goals and contributing to their international campaigns.
Friend’s post-retirement career has been equally distinguished, showcasing his leadership, business acumen, and strategic vision.
- • Founder and Managing Partner at DRG Investment Group (2014 – Present): Specialized in real estate investment and management.
- • Founder of TOCA Football Canada (2017 – 2021): Revolutionized football training with cutting-edge technology, growing the company to a valuation of US$150 million.
- • Co-Founder of the Canadian Premier League (CPL): Played a key role in building the CPL from scratch, achieving a league valuation of US$300 million in just six years.
- • CEO and Co-Founder of Pacific FC (2019 – 2022) and Vancouver FC (2022 – Present): Spearheaded the operational, strategic, and infrastructural development of both CPL clubs, including stadium and training center projects, sponsorship deals, player acquisitions, and financial management.
Friend’s extensive expertise in both football operations and management positions him as a pivotal figure in FAM’s ambition to revitalize Malaysian football. His immediate priorities include: Overseeing the Harimau Malaya senior squad and U23 team programs, Building a world-class workforce to support national team operations, and Aligning strategic plans to achieve sustained excellence on the international stage.
Rob Friend expressed his enthusiasm for the role, emphasizing his commitment to using his experience to strengthen Malaysia’s national football teams.
Rob Friend will officially assume his duties at Wisma FAM, Kelana Jaya, beginning in January 2025. His arrival marks a fresh chapter for Malaysian football, with hopes high that his leadership can propel Harimau Malaya to greater heights on the Asian and global stage.
Credit Photo : CPL
