KUALA LUMPUR – Selangor FC’s interim head coach Nidzam Jamil vows to continue the club’s direction in empowering players from the youth ranks as the future of the Red Giants.
The 43-year-old took the temporary role following the sudden departure of Tan Cheng Hoe to Police Tero FC, who compete in Thailand’s top division.
Previously, Scoop reported that Cheng Hoe, despite having an existing contract with the Red Giants, agreed to a mutual termination with the club, with Selangor also receiving a compensation fee based on his contract.
Under Cheng Hoe’s guidance, Selangor FC finished second in the Malaysia Super League last season with 61 points and qualified for next season’s AFC Champions League 2 group stage.
Speaking to Scoop, Nidzam said that he was currently filling in the gaps of the foundations built by his predecessors and ensuring his players were ready for the new season.
His first interim stint was in 2022 when German coach Michael Feichtenbeiner ended his tenure.
“This is my second stint as interim head coach, and I have had the privilege to learn a lot from both coach Michael and coach Cheng Hoe on how to deal with the players over the years.
“I’m just following the programmes that they have created, and my job is to ensure that all the players are well-equipped mentally and physically before the new season begins.
“Selangor FC have a huge fan base in our country, and the club have always had this direction to produce many young talents so that they can be the future and assets of the club in the years to come.
“I’m working vigorously towards achieving that target by collaborating with the under-19, under-20, under-21 and under-23 teams, together with the technical director, and that’s my focus for now.
“I wished coach Cheng Hoe would have stayed longer with me as I really enjoyed working under him due to us having the same mindset. But I respect his decision as he always had this ambition to expand his career abroad.
“Initially, myself, the other coaches and the players, especially the new signings, were unable to digest the news. But at the end of the day, we are all professionals and we have to move on with life as nobody is bigger than the club,” said Nidzam when contacted.
Nidzam, a former national footballer, spent the majority of his professional career at Selangor FC (1999-2004) and also turned out for PKNS FC (2005-2006), Negeri Sembilan FC (2006-2007) and Proton FC (2007-2008) in the Super League.
Due to injuries and multiple operations on his ankle and knees, he decided to hang up his boots at the age of 28 and started to concentrate on the coaching arena.
Nidzam further revealed that his players were currently in good form and injury free ahead of the new season.
He also said he had no plans to venture into a role as a senior head coach for now, citing that he was still young and had more to learn from the best in the game.
“We have already begun our preseason training, and all the players are currently in fine form. They are all pumped up to give their best for the club and especially the loyal fans by displaying their best on the pitch.
“I don’t have any personal desire to take on any head-coach positions for now as I’m happy with whatever I’m doing. I’m still young, and I have more to learn.
“My prime focus for now is to work with the players and ensure that I create a good ecosystem for them and get them ready for the new season,” Nidzam added.
The Red Giants have been on a player-purchasing spree with the signings of Nooa Laine (national player), Umarbek Eshmurodov (Uzbekistan), Ronnie Fernandez (Chile) and Azim Al Amin (national U-23 player) in the current transfer window.
The 2024-25 season of the Super League is set to commence in May this year. – March 15, 2024
