Zainal Abidin has his own 'aura'

MELAKA, Nov 1 (Bernama) -- National football legend Zainal Abidin Hassan always exuded an aura of calmness and authority during his playing days.

And that, coupled with his vast experience in managing a team, is why Melaka United have chosen him to be their head coach next season.

Melaka United Football Association (MUFA) deputy president Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi said that the appointment would give Zainal the chance to prove his credentials by helping the club retain their place in the Super League next season.

“Zainal first made his name in football in the 80s. It was his ability and experience that saw him being chosen to lead teams like Pahang and Selangor.

“The offer to be the head coach of the Hang Tuah squad is the right opportunity for Zainal to re-ignite and showcase his talent in the Super League after his stint with Penang in the Premier League,’’ Mohd Yusoff told Bernama here today.

It was reported yesterday that MUFA had presented the offer letter to Zainal to handle Melaka United for the 2019 season of the M-League.

Mohd Yusoff, who is also the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president, said that they were not short of suitors for the post of head coach, with the likes of Malaysian Indian FA (MIFA)’s K. Devan, Kuantan FA head coach Ismail Zakaria, Negeri Sembilan FA assistant coach Mohd Asri Ninggal and former Kedah head coach Mohd Nidzam Adzha Yusoff also throwing in their hats.

In the end, MUFA president and Melaka Chief Minister Adly Zahari opted to trust the capability and experience of Zainal.

‘’We are preparing the contract for Zainal to sign and we are targeting him to start as our head coach before mid-November because by December he should have his team ready for the 2019 season,’’ he said.

Melaka United were previously coached by Portuguese Eduardo Almeida, who was sacked after a run of dismal results.

The Sang Kancil squad then appointed former PKNS FC coach E. Elavarasan in April to steady the ship and he managed to take them to seventh in the Super League standings.

Adly, meanwhile, also said that Melaka United would restructure their coaching and team set-ups so as to be be prepared to face the intense challenges of the M-League.

‘’Although we have set ourselves a budget of not more than RM18mil per year for next season, it doesn't mean Melaka United will be easy meat.  We too have our own targets – to improve on our achievement in the Super League.

‘’Despite our small expenditure next year, we will still emphasise on our playing quality, set our sights on  winning a trophy and be up there among the best,’’ he said.

Melaka United, who finished eighth in 2017, went one better this season – coming in seventh out of 12 teams in the Super League with nine wins. 

-- BERNAMA