Spaniard Marcote returns as Kedah head coach

ALOR SETAR: Former Kedah football assistant coach, Ramon Marcote has returned as the Red Eagles head coach for the 2018 Malaysian League season.

Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Mohd Hanipah, who is also Kedah Football Association (KFA) president, said the Spaniard is already in Alor Setar for the contract signing ceremony.

“I will meet up with Ramon Marcote and sign the contract soon. The only thing undecided is whether the contract is for one year or two years,” he said.

Rumours of Marcote’s imminent appointment as head coach gathered steam soon after he arrived at Sultan Abdul Halim Airport in Alor Setar on Dec 6.

The Spaniard came into the frame after head coach Nidzam Adha Yusoff expressed his willingness to step down after failing to help Kedah defend the Malaysia Cup this season.

Red Eagles supporters have fond memories of Marcote who guided Kedah to the Malaysia Cup final in 2015 in the absence of head coach Tan Cheng Hoe who was away in China for a pro-coaching course.

Marcote made his name as fitness coach at top Spanish club Atletico Madrid.

Ahmad Bashah also said the KFA have decided to retain their two foreign players from last season – Liridon Krasniqi and Sandro Mendoca – while the fate of the others would be determined by the head coach.

Commenting on allegations of corruption involving several Red players and coaches, he said the matter was being investigated by the police and the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission.

“We got statements from the players and the coaches. The allegations could have been made by frustrated and dissatisfied Red Eagles supporters,” he added. — Bernama