KUALA LUMPUR: A comprehensive assessment will be conducted before any decision is made on appointing a new head coach for Harimau Malaya, amid speculation linking Japanese coach Hajime Moriyasu to the role.
Youth and Sports Minister Dr Taufiq Johari said discussions would be held with the FA of Malaysia (FAM) and key stakeholders to ensure the appointment yields the best outcomes for national football.
A top-level Japanese coach could demand a salary of up to US$60,000 (about RM252,000) a month.
"It is still under discussion. We will hold discussions with FAM and all the stakeholders involved because the most important thing is to ensure that it delivers the best possible returns for the country.
"We will carry out an overall assessment based on performance, work processes and so on, before making a decision and announcing it," he said yesterday.
Moriyasu has been linked with the post as Malaysia seek to secure qualification for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
FAM reportedly has not ruled out hiring a foreign coach following the formation of a new executive committee to strengthen the squad for the 2030 World Cup qualifying campaign.
However, the governing body is also open to retaining a local coach if the candidate can deliver results.
FAM president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan said the final decision would not rest with him alone, but would be decided by the executive committee.
Harimau Malaya are currently under interim coach Tan Cheng Hoe, who led the team to a third-place finish in the Asean Cup.
During the group stage, Malaysia defeated Bangladesh 6-0, drew 0-0 with Indonesia, and beat Singapore 6-0 to finish second and miss out on the final.
Cheng Hoe's side then edged Vietnam 1-0 in the third-place playoff.
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