DURAKOVIC OFF TO SELANGOR?

Perak boss may join six-figure coaches’ club in M-League

TODAY’S Malaysia Cup final could be Mehmet Durakovic’s farewell match with Perak as coach.

It is learnt that Durakovic will join the six-figure club of coaches in the M-League next season.

The 53-year-old is said to have agreed terms to return to his former club Selangor, with an offer of between RM100,000 and RM130,000 monthly.

Durakovic was released by Selangor in 2015 after a two-year stint despite guiding the club to their 33rd title in the Malaysia Cup that year.

He was replaced by former international Zainal Abidin Hassan, who lasted for only nine months.

However, Selangor have always been his No 1 club since he began coaching in the M-League.

For the record, he helped Selangor win three back-to-back Malaysia Cup titles between 1995-97 as a player.

Durakovic has also been offered a contract extension by Perak but he does not want to put pen to paper on the offer yet.

The former Australian international, if he signs with Selangor, will come with a package deal together with at least two top Perak players.

Although Durakovic has denied links with Selangor, the speculations are now stronger as FA of Selangor (FAS) president Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, also the Raja Muda of Selangor, have big plans for the team for the new season.

Selangor have not won a title since Durakovic’s Malaysia Cup success (in 2015) and their fans hope his return will spark something positive in the club.

It is also learnt that several PKNS players will shift to Selangor with the former effectively focusing on exposing youth players in the M-League.

Among those who played for PKNS this season were former internationals Safee Sali and K. Gurusamy.

Safiq Rahim is also expected to return to the club after his successful stint with Johor Darul Ta’zim.

However, the plans may not become a reality following internal conflict between clubs and FAS, where several parties want everyone, except for president Tengku Amir Shah, to resign.

It remains to be seen whether FAS can resolve their problem and focus on rebuilding the club for the M-League.