One step at a time
PKNS coach Rajagopal urges fans not to expect quick results
PETALING JAYA: PKNS coach Datuk K. Rajagopal has urged the fans not to expect miracles from him despite his impressive track record.
The ex-national coach, who has signed a one-year contract with PKNS, faces a challenging task to change the team’s fortunes in the Super League. PKNS finished seventh in the 12-team Super League last season.
“The expectations can be quite unreasonable.
“The public need to be realistic even though I’m used to the pressure,” said the 61-year-old Rajagopal, who guided Malaysia to the 2009 SEA Games gold medal and the 2010 AFF Cup.
His last foray into the Super League ended after just five months with Sarawak in 2016.
Both sides parted ways mutually following a string of poor results.
Aware that success cannot be achieved overnight, Rajagopal added: “We definitely want to do better than last season and challenge the others. We have good players but in football, success won’t come until we have worked for it,” he said.
Rajagopal has bolstered PKNS by signing Jafri Firdaus Chew ( striker); Faizat Ghazli and Nurridzuan Abu Hassan (midfielders); K. Reuben, Qayyum Marjoni Sabil and Annas Rahman (defenders); Zarif Irfan Hishamuddin and Shahril Saari (goalkeepers).
He said three former internationals – striker Safee Sali, midfielders K. Gurusamy and Khyril Muhymeen Zambri – can be mentors to the younger players.
“PKNS have signed young players too and I want the seasoned players to guide them,” said Rajagopal, whose career has come full circle after his return to PKNS where he started his career as both player and coach.
He won the Premier One league title with Selangor in 2000 and the second-tier Premier League crown with Harimau Muda in 2009.
The public need to be realistic even though I’m used to the pressure. K. Rajagopal