SHAH ALAM - The next Harimau Malaya head coach should be someone who can manage the team autonomously, free from interference by officials.
Sports analysts have stressed that past complaints about external meddling highlight the need for a coach with the authority and independence to lead effectively.
The ideal candidate will be able to focus solely on building a strong, cohesive team without external distractions, paving the way for a successful era for Malaysia’s national football team.
Seasoned journalist Graig Nunis emphasised that only Kim Pan Gon knows the reason for his departure.
However, Graig argued that in Pan Gon’s press conference, he stated that he had shared all the details with Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) President Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin.
"During the press conference, Pan Gon said: I cannot reveal them to you here. Very dangerous. He knows all the details. I convinced him. The reason I cannot share with you.”
"His use of the term ‘dangerous’ raised questions and sparked curiosity about what he meant.
"Did he face any threats? He also mentioned that inquiring about what he told Hamidin might not be prudent. Why is that?
"If Pan Gon had simply stopped when he cited ‘personal reasons,’ there would be less room for speculation,” Graig told Sinar Daily when contacted.
Following Pan Gon’s speculative comments during his press conference on July 16, the Regent of Johor (TMJ) Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim questioned Pan Gon's use of the term ‘dangerous’ in relation to his resignation as Harimau Malaya head coach.
He demanded clarity on whether Pan Gon feared violence or other threats and criticised him for being vague and indirect during his press conference.
This scrutiny followed Pan Gon's remarks and a social media clip that led Tunku Ismail to seek more evidence and transparency about alleged conspiracies.
In response, it was reported that Pan Gon explained that his comment about the situation being ‘very dangerous’ was due to his poor English proficiency and was not meant to imply any threats or negative implications about Malaysian football.
He clarified that the remark was misunderstood, and he had not received any threats from supporters.
Pan Gon confirmed he did not regret his decision to resign and preferred to keep certain strategic matters private.
Albeit the speculation surrounding Pan Gon’s resignation and his mention of ‘dangerous’ circumstances, Graig acknowledged that Pan Gon was a commendable coach who notably led Malaysia to qualify for the Asian Cup on merit.
"However, it is worth noting that the 2023 Asian Cup, like the 2019 edition, featured 24 teams, an increase from the previous 16-team format.
"Would Malaysia have qualified without the extra eight slots?
"The team underperformed in the Asian Cup, failing to win any matches and being eliminated in the group stage.
"Despite this, under Pan Gon’s leadership, Malaysia finished as runners-up in the 2022 Thai King’s Cup and the 2023 Merdeka Football, and our ranking improved to 130, reflecting several positive outcomes,” he added.
Graig also noted that Pan Gon's resignation is a major setback for the Malaysian national team, given his deep investment in his project and his remaining year on contract aimed at guiding Malaysia to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup.
Graig also stressed that the critical criterion for Pan Gon’s replacement should be selecting a candidate capable of managing the team independently, free from officials' interference.
"Past complaints from coaches about outside meddling highlight the need for someone strong enough to assert: "This is my team; stay out of it and do not dictate my actions.”
"But, will the egos of the top brass allow the next coach the freedom to do it his way? Only time will tell,” he said.
Concurring with Graig’s views, academician Afi Rozhesry noted that while he prefers not to speculate, it is important to respect Pan Gon’s decision to step down as Malaysia’s coach.
"From a personal perspective and after discussing with colleagues, I want to stress that maybe, there could have been external factors influencing his resignation, potentially involving interference from higher-ups.
"However, it is crucial to honour his choice and focus on moving forward,” he said.
Reviewing Pan Gon's record of 35 games, 19 wins and a 54 per cent win rate, Afi acknowledged that Pan Gon’s performance with Harimau Malaya appears commendable.
"He also contributed to improving our official ranking and effectively integrated naturalised players into the squad.
"Overall, Pan Gon has demonstrated strong performance and adaptability during his tenure.
"Had he stayed, it is likely he would have achieved even greater success,” Afi added.
Afi also believes that Pan Gon’s resignation is a setback for the Malaysian football team.
"Considering we have a quite good performance under him, and the fact that the team were still adjusting to his style of play, and he suddenly resigned, I think it is a loss, a setback for the team.
"Under Pan Gon, we observed a shift in playing style, favouring width over the traditional long balls.
"Changing a team's style of play is challenging, especially when most Malaysian clubs are accustomed to long-ball tactics.
"With only two years to implement this shift, achieving seamless integration was difficult.
"Given more time, the results of his approach might have been even more favourable,” he added.
Afi also pointed out that it is crucial to maintain the players' confidence until the FAM finds the next coach for Malaysia who can manage the team and implement a playing style that suits our players.
"Given that Pan Gon was a good coach for Malaysia, his departure is a significant loss for the national team.
"Therefore, the FAM must quickly secure a suitable replacement for Pan Gon,” he added.
On July 16, Pan Gon announced his resignation as Harimau Malaya Head Coach due to personal commitments.
The FAM has confirmed that Pan Gon’s assistant, Pau Marti Vicente, will serve as the acting head coach for the national team.