KIM SWEE AIMS TO ADD SOME SPANISH FLAVOUR TO HIS COACHING

PETALING JAYA: National Under-23 coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee aims to add some Spanish flavour to his coaching repertoire through a one-month attachment with La Liga side Atletico Madrid.

Kim Swee and his assistant Brad Maloney left for Spain yesterday and will be based in Madrid until March 25.

The stint in Madrid will also include an opportunity to be part of an observation group for the Spanish national team’s international friendlies against Germany and Argentina.

This is the duo’s second attachment in Europe as they previously had a monthlong attachment with English Championship side Queens Park Rangers last year.

Kim Swee thanked Football Association of Malaysia ( FAM) president Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim for making the arrangement and said he would not waste such a golden opportunity to learn.

“Our president Tunku Ismail’s good rapport with international football organisations has made this possible.

“This stint also proves that Tunku Ismail is not concerned about the players alone, but the coaches’ development as well,” said Kim Swee.

“The football culture and style of playing is totally different in Spain and Atletico.

“We’ll get to see the training methods used and we’ll see what we can adopt.

“The quality of players there and here at home is different, so not all methods used there can be applied here.

“A lot of fine-tuning is needed.

“I’m also keen to gain more knowledge on match preparations, both on and off the pitch.”

In Kim Swee’s absence, three of his backroom staff – assistant coach Khan Hung Meng, goalkeeper coach Kris Yong Wai Hwang and physical trainer Reuben Jude Balraj – will be going around scouting for players as the team prepare for the Indonesia Asian Games from Aug 18-Sept 2.