IRFAN IRKS FANS WITH COMMENTS

Terengganu coach resigns following poor results

IRFAN Bakti’s caustic assessment of Terengganu’s poor form of late has led to his resignation as head coach. The 68-year-old’s resignation was confirmed by Terengganu FA (TFA) secretary Tengku Farouk Hussin Tengku Abdul Jalil in a statement on Wednesday.

Irfan criticised his players following the 4-0 thrashing by Pahang in last week’s FA Cup quarter-final return leg match and this drew angry remarks from loyal fans over his coaching methods and players’ commitment.

The last straw came when Terengganu were humiliated 5-3 by PJ City FC at home after going 3-0 up at half-time in Tuesday’s Super League match.

Frustrated fans confronted the team after the match at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium in Kuala Terengganu and questioned the management, coaches and players for the defeat.

Tengku Farouk Hussin said Irfan made the decision to resign voluntarily following the inconsistent performance of the team in the M-League.

“A special meeting between the coaching staff and the management was held to identify the weaknesses following the embarrassing defeat to PJ City,” he said in a press statement on Wednesday.

“Irfan then decided to submit his resignation letter and we, after considering all factors, accepted it.”

Assistant coach Nafuzi Zain has been appointed caretaker trainer.

Irfan, in his second stint with the east coast side, helped the state to the runners-up position in the Premier League in 2017 and last year guided them to the Malaysia Cup final.

In the statement, Tengku Farouk Hussin also refuted allegations that the team’s inconsistent form was due to salary issues.