Irfan Bakti Urges Realistic Spending To Keep TFC In Super League

KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 (Bernama) -- Former Terengganu head coach Irfan Bakti Abu Salim has urged Terengganu FC (TFC) to adopt prudent and realistic spending as the best approach to remain competitive in the Super League next season.

He said the principle of ‘cut your coat according to your cloth’ should be prioritised, especially amid speculation that TFC may compete in the A1 Semi-Pro League due to financial constraints.

Irfan Bakti, who led Terengganu to win the 2011 FA Cup and finish runners-up in the Malaysia Cup in 2011 and 2018, also admitted he was disappointed with the development and said he had known about it earlier.

“Of course I am very disappointed to hear this news. Terengganu FC is one of the elite teams in the country’s football scene, so the question arises as to why it should drop to compete in a semi-pro league.

“I still hope the decision can be reviewed and that TFC remains in the Super League with a more prudent approach, without following the steps of some teams that spend beyond their means,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.

According to Irfan Bakti, who is highly experienced in the Malaysia League (M-League), more controlled financial management can not only ensure the club’s sustainability but also prevent long-term debt burdens that could affect the team’s stability.

He also opined that TFC’s financial situation is not as severe as that of some other clubs, thus providing room for the Turtles squad to undergo a more structured restructuring process.

He said a prudent spending approach has now become a key necessity in the increasingly challenging local football landscape, particularly with the implementation of financial control mechanisms such as the Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.

Yesterday, Terengganu Football Association (PBSNT) president Hishamuddin Abdul Karim said TFC does not rule out the possibility of competing in the A1 Semi-Pro League next season, with internal factors -particularly financial constraints - remaining among the main issues affecting the team.

Hishamuddin likened the problems facing the team to a chronic illness that requires careful treatment and management to be resolved.

However, he said the club’s management is currently refining the matter, which requires thorough assessment and in-depth discussions before a final decision is made.

TFC are currently in fifth place in the 2025/2026 Super League standings, having collected 32 points from 20 matches, with four games remaining before the end of the season.

-- BERNAMA