NOT A SURE BET
Talks over salary still ongoing between Gomez and FAM
FORMER Johor Darul Ta’zim coach Mario Gomez has yet to decide whether to helm the national football team.
FAM president Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim said yesterday discussion is still on going between the national body and the Argentine coach.
“Gomez actually wanted a higher salary before he accepts the post, higher than the salary he received when he was coaching JDT, which FAM could not afford. However, we are still in talks,” said Tunku Ismail.
On the appointment of Kedah coach Tan Cheng Hoe as the assistant national coach, Tunku Ismail said it is up to him whether he wants to join the national coaching set-up.
“Gomez has identified him as the best local coach in Malaysia and wants him to be his assistant. Now, it is up to Tan if he wants to take up the offer.”
The Tunku Mahkota of Johor also revealed that FAM is RM40 million in the red.
“I was surprised to find out that the association actually has a financial shortfall of RM40 million when I took over. Now, we are trying to find new sponsors so that we can address this problem,” said Tunku Ismail.
He said FAM are currently in talks with Zenith and Astro-Fox Sports on the broadcasting rights agreement.
The newly elected FAM president also said that Malaysia face a tough challenge against North Korea in an Asian Cup qualifier that has been rescheduled to June 8.
“It will be difficult for the new coach to improve the team in such a short space of time. Maybe there is a change in the training method but it will be difficult for us in the match.
“Moreover, the national team will be facing a team who will be very motivated because they know that they might be punished if they lose, especially after what has happened between the two countries,” said Tunku Ismail.
The match was originally scheduled to be played on March 28 in Pyongyang but was postponed because of the diplomatic row between Malaysia and North Korea over the murder of Kim JongNam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.
Gomez actually wanted a higher salary before he accepts the post, higher than the salary he received when he was coaching JDT, which FAM could not afford. However, we are still in talks. TUNKU ISMAIL SULTAN IBRAHIM
FAM president