FAM appoint Kim Swee as national coach

Interim coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee has been appointed National coach for a two-year period, thus ending uncertainty and speculation surrounding the National team.

Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president, Datuk Abdul Mokhtar Ahmad when making the announcement, said Kim Swee's main task would be to improve the country's ranking in the FIFA list from 171 to 140.

After the appointment, Kim Swee would also be required to prepare the National squad for the 2016 Asean Football Federation (AFF Suzuki Cup) competition from Nov 28 to Dec 18.

"Kim Swee will also assist National Under-23 coach Frank Bernhardt to prepare the SEA Games squad for the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur," he told reporters at Wisma FAM, Kelana Jaya, here today.

Abdul Mokhtar said the Special Functions Team was tasked to select one of the three shortlisted candidates for the job, comprising Kim Swee, former Johor Darul Ta'zim coach Bojan Hodak and former Sarawak coach Robert Alberts.

Kim Swee, 45, from Malacca, has vast experience and better track record in handling the senior squad compared with some others.

Abdul Mokhtar said Kim Swee would also be required to prepare the team for a number of playoff matches in the 2019 Asia Cup Qualifiers on June 2, June 7 and Oct 11.

Kim Swee had coached Harimau Muda A from 2009-2014, National Under-23 squad from 2011-2015 before being appointed as interim coach for the National team after Dollah Salleh tendered his resignation last year.