TMJ has every right to appoint Mario Gomez - Khairy

The Tunku Mahkota of Johor (TMJ) Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has every right to appoint former Johor Darul Ta'zim, coach Mario Gomez as the head coach for the National team, replacing Datuk Ong Kim Swee.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said as the president of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), TMJ has the authority to elect the best candidate for the post of National head coach or the National Under-23 squad.

"The appointment is subject to the approval of the FAM council," he said when met after announcing Prudential Assurance Malaysia Berhad as sponsor for the 29th Kuala Lumpur SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games (KL 2017), here today.

Through the sponsorship deal, about 13,000 volunteers for the KL 2017 would be provided insurance coverage by Prudential Assurance Malaysia Berhad.

Khairy also expressed confidence in the ability of Kim Swee to helm the National U-23 squad due to his vast knowledge in preparing players for previous SEA Games.

He said FAM's decision to terminate the services of former National U-23 coach Frank Bernhardt from Germany, should be respected and looked at from a positive point because the programme was initiated by FAM.

Tunku Ismail won the post of FAM president for the term 2017-2021, uncontested, after his challenger Tan Sri Annuar Musa decided to withdraw.

Annuar, the former FAM deputy president and Kelantan Football Association adviser, had said he decided to withdraw because he felt TMJ would be able to bring about changes to the FAM and the landscape of football in the country.

-- BERNAMA