KUALA LUMPUR: The head coach of the Harimau Malaya national football team, Kim Pan-gon, and his coaching staff are reportedly feeling disappointed with the current situation of the team and are prepared to step down if necessary.
According to a source close to the team management, Pan-gon and his coaches have submitted a letter to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), expressing their willingness to leave the national team if their services are no longer required.
The source mentioned that the 54-year-old Pan-gon and his coaching team are only requesting three months’ salary as compensation should they decide to part ways with the national team.
It is noted that Pan-gon’s contract with Harimau Malaya is set to run until January 2025.
“I was informed that the panel of coaches for Harimau Malaya, including Pan-gon, has submitted the letter and is ready in case their services are no longer needed, requesting three months’ salary if the termination of their contract occurs soon,” the source disclosed to Bernama.
The source suggested that Pan-gon and his coaching staff may have taken this action due to their disappointment and dissatisfaction over various issues within the national squad.
Recent defeats against Oman, losing 2-0 in two consecutive matches during the 2026 World Cup-2027 Asian Cup qualifying campaign, have extended Malaysia’s poor form following their inconsistent performance in the 2023 Asian Cup in Qatar in January.
Contrary to these reports, FAM secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman denied the claims, stating that Pan-gon still has a valid contract and is a professional coach. He emphasized that the team still has two more matches in the qualifiers and are not yet eliminated from contention.
Pan-gon is credited with significantly improving Harimau Malaya’s performance on the international stage, guiding them to qualify for the Asian Cup after 42 years and achieving runner-up positions in the 2022 Thai King’s Cup and 2023 Merdeka Football tournament.
Moreover, under Pan-gon’s guidance, Malaysia has climbed up in the world rankings, reaching their highest-ever position of 130th after previously being ranked 154th.
Upon his appointment as the head coach in January 2022, Pan-gon brought in four assistants, including a goalkeeper coach, a fitness coach, an analyst, and assistant head coach E. Elavarasan.
Prior to his role with Harimau Malaya, Pan-gon served as the team director for the Korean Football Association (KFA) and also coached the national team of Hong Kong. – Bernama
