Bernhardt not surprised with FAM's decision

The former Under-22 coach, Frank Bernhardt said he was not surprised with the decision made by the President of Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim to terminate his services recently.

Bernhardt, who was appointed by FAM as Under-22 coach in 2015, said he knew the news about his duty termination through the media and wanted to meet FAM for further explanation as soon as possible.

"It's correct, I heard that from the media. Personally, I've no information yet from FAM regarding this matter. I believe we will discuss this matter further and to clear some of the statement.

"This (termination) can happen when someone is appointed as the new president. When new people take over, they want to change or make a change and yes it can happen.

"This is a situation I had to deal with," he told reporters upon arriving with the Under-22 squad from Dubai at the KL International Airport (KLIA), here, today.

Commenting on the appropriateness of FAM to announce his termination while he and the team were abroad, Bernhardt said: "The date of announcement may not be the right time but we cannot change anything."

Bernhardt added as a coach he had a responsibility to finish up his job but he would abide by the decision.

"I don't know that my philosophy is different from him because we (he and Tunku Ismail) never spoke to each other. At the moment, I can't give any comment on the contract," he said.

Tunku Ismail, who took over the post of the new president of FAM, has appointed Mario Gomez as the new chief coach for Harimau Malaysia (national football squad), replacing Datuk Ong Kim Swee.

Meanwhile, Kim Swee has been entrusted the task of coaching the national Under-22 squad.

The development saw the ouster of Bernhardt from the FA of Malaysia's (FAM) football development plans under the new leadership of FAM. -- Bernama