KUALA LUMPUR — Former FC Tokyo manager Peter Cklamovski from Australia was announced today as the new head coach of the national team, tasked with leading Harimau Malaya to qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup and improve their FIFA world ranking to the top 100.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) said Cklamovski will officially begin his duties on Jan 1, 2025.
FAM described Cklamovski as a capable young coach who will ensure the national team can compete at a higher level on the international stage, starting with the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers in March next year.
“He (Cklamovski) is here in Malaysia to establish a strong coaching staff to ensure that players called up to the Harimau Malaya training camp receive the best possible guidance, which will help improve their abilities and skills for international matches.
“To begin with, Cklamovski’s primary mission is to ensure Harimau Malaya top the Group F qualification campaign to secure a place in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, as well as improve the FIFA ranking to break into the top 100 in the world,” FAM said in a statement.
The 46-year-old coach has spent over 15 years working under Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou, with whom he helped guide the Australian national team to victory in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. They later won the J1 League (Japan’s top tier) in 2019 while managing Yokohama F. Marinos.
Cklamovski progressed in his career as a head coach, being appointed manager of J1 League club Shimizu S-Pulse in 2020, before taking on the challenge of managing J2 League club Montedio Yamagata in 2021. He rescued the club from the relegation zone and secured a playoff spot for promotion to J1.
He was appointed manager of FC Tokyo in June 2023, where he made an immediate impact by implementing a footballing identity full of inspiration that led to success and excited the fans.
Meanwhile, former Kedah Darul Aman FC coach Mohd Nafuzi Zain has been appointed as the new head coach of the national Under-23 team. His mission is to ensure continuity in the youth squad, which serves as a talent pipeline for the senior team.
“Nafuzi’s credibility, at the age of 46, is also relied upon to strengthen the national U-23 squad, which has recently underperformed on the international stage,” read the statement.
“With Nafuzi’s appointment, the key task for the national U-23 squad in 2025 will be to make a strong comeback in the 2025 ASEAN U-23 Championship, the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, and the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand,” the statement said.
Mohd Nafuzi will officially begin his duties with the team on Jan 1.
Additionally, FAM also announced that a new chief executive officer and experienced medical team will be appointed to assist in the restructuring of FAM, ensuring that the organisation’s operations run more efficiently and professionally.
“The medical team will begin using the latest technologies to ensure that Harimau Malaya players receive the best possible medical services and treatment.
“These measures are expected to improve management quality, strengthen player fitness, aid in player recovery, and maximise their potential,” it added.
The appointments of Cklamovski and Mohd Nafuzi have resolved posers about the restructuring of the Harimau Malaya squad.
Cklamovski will replace interim head coach Pau Marti Vicente from Spain, who is currently guiding the team in the 2024 ASEAN Cup campaign, while Mohd Nafuzi takes over from another Spanish coach, Juan Torres Garrido. — BERNAMA
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