HODAK’S HEAD ON CHOPPING BLOCK?

Irked by Hodak’s comments, FAM look set to terminate coach’s services

AJITPAL SINGH REPORTS

BOJAN Hodak’s job as the national Under-19 coach is in jeopardy as his comments on the country’s football development have irked the FA of Malaysia.

ARE the FA of Malaysia (FAM) looking for an excuse to get rid of national Under-19 team coach Bojan Hodak? The Croatian has upset FAM with his comments at the recent Sanix Cup in Fukuoka, Japan, following his players’ poor form.

Hodak’s contract will expire on July 31, and under the terms, FAM need to make an offer three months before the expiry date (if they want to continue his services).

However, there are now doubts it will happen even though Hodak has produced good results for Malaysia.

Hodak stepped on the toes of FAM at the Sanix Cup. Frustrated with his team’s performance, he reportedly said that Malaysia’s development system was lacking in some aspects.

But FAM feel that Hodak blamed the country’s football system for his team’s poor showing. And they are expected to take disciplinary action against the former Kelantan coach.

In fact, it is learnt that FAM had issued Hodak a show cause letter, asking him to explain his comments in Japan and why he did not go through the proper channels.

A source said Hodak did not reply to the letter, which has further complicated the situation.

He will know his fate when FAM’s national teams’ committee meets on April 17. FAM secretary-general Stuart Ramalingam said Hodak’s actions would be discussed at the meeting.

The speculations are that Hodak will either be axed or his contract won’t be extended.

The grapevine has it that FAM have slashed their budget and staff will have to go.

This may be the reason behind FAM’s decision not to offer an extension to Aminuddin Hussin (senior team assistant coach) and Nenad Bacina (Hodak’s assistant).

By using the disciplinary issue against Hodak, FAM have good reason to remove him.

But FAM risk criticism from football followers if they do that because Hodak has given the fans what they want — results.

In his first assignment, Hodak guided Malaysia to second spot in the 2017 AFF Under-19 Championship in Yangon. Next, his boys qualified for the AFC Under19 Championship by finishing runners-up to South Korea in the qualifiers the same year.

And things got even better for Hodak’s team.

Last year, he took them to the AFF Under-19 title in Indonesia for the first time, and Malaysia also did decently at the AFC Championship.

In terms of results, Hodak, regarded as among the best coaches in Asia, has delivered.

It seems the only way FAM can get rid of Hodak is by pinning a disciplinary issue on him.

However, it will not look good on FAM if they force out a coach who has achieved his Key Performance Indicator (KPI).

Hodak, when contacted, declined to comment on the issue. He wants to wait for the outcome of the national teams’ committee meeting.