KUALA LUMPUR – Bojan Hodak said that he is sad to witness the current state of his former club, Kuala Lumpur City FC, which he describes as having “fallen from grace due to the involvement of political figures in decision-making.”
The 53-year-old, who is currently the head coach of the Indonesian-based club Persib Bandung, is well-known in the Malaysian football scene as he created a shockwave by lifting the Malaysia Cup with KL City FC – under a limited budget and with an average squad age of 25 years old in 2021.
Bojan’s Malaysia Cup-winning team also featured experienced players such as Safee Sali, Shukor Adnan, and Indra Putra Mahayuddin.
Aside from winning the Malaysia Cup with KL City FC, throughout his 15 years of experience in Malaysian football, the Croatian coach has won every major title in the M-League, including the Malaysia Super League and the FA Cup with Johor Darul Ta’zim and Kelantan FC.
Speaking to Scoop from Bandung, Bojan said KL City FC will not reach its full potential until political figures are no longer involved in the club.
“I feel sorry for the club. KL City is a club with a lot of tradition – known for the talents it has produced over the years.
“However, since the day I came on board, I have always witnessed that the club tends to be a victim of politics. The current situation at the club has deteriorated even more as it has fallen from grace due to the involvement of political figures in the decision-making process.
“The club’s chief executive officer, Stanley Bernard, has always done his best by providing everything for the club – but there is always some political interest in KL City FC, and I have no idea why.
“I strongly believe that the involvement of political figures is the reason that’s holding them back from reaching their full potential. I hope KL City can settle their ongoing issues and be ready for the new season,” said Bojan when contacted.
Bojan joined KL City FC from the Indonesian club PSM Makassar in 2021 and stayed with the club until 2023. He then joined Persib Bandung, where his team currently sits second in the Liga 1 with 48 points, behind Borneo Samarinda.
Scoop previously reported concerns regarding KL City FC’s financial stability, leaving players grappling with unpaid dues.
The club has also been instructed by the Malaysian Football League to make the first payment of the salaries amounting to 50% by March 15 and a full settlement on or before March 29.
Failure to make the payment on the stipulated timelines will result in both clubs receiving a transfer ban with a fine or facing revocation of their national license by the first instance body. – March 8, 2024
