The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has officially announced the appointment of Peter Cklamovski, the former manager of FC Tokyo, as the new head coach of the Harimau Malaya national football team. The Australian coach is tasked with leading the team to qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup and improving their FIFA world ranking to the top 100. Cklamovski will begin his duties on January 1, 2025.
FAM expressed confidence in Cklamovski's capabilities, describing him as a dynamic young coach who will elevate the national team’s performance on the international stage. His first major challenge will be the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, which kick off in March next year. “He is here in Malaysia to establish a strong coaching staff to ensure that players called up to the Harimau Malaya training camp receive the best possible guidance, which will help improve their abilities and skills for international matches”, FAM stated.
Cklamovski, 46, boasts an impressive coaching resume, having worked closely with Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou for over 15 years. He played a pivotal role in guiding the Australian national team to victory in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup and later helped Yokohama F. Marinos clinch the J1 League title in 2019. His coaching journey includes stints with Shimizu S-Pulse in 2020 and Montedio Yamagata in 2021, where he successfully rescued the club from relegation and secured a playoff spot for promotion.
In June 2023, Cklamovski took the reins at FC Tokyo, where he made an immediate impact by instilling a vibrant footballing identity that resonated with fans and led to success on the pitch.
In addition to Cklamovski's appointment, FAM has announced that Mohd Nafuzi Zain, the former coach of Kedah Darul Aman FC, will lead the national Under-23 team. Nafuzi's mission is to ensure continuity and development within the youth squad, which serves as a critical talent pipeline for the senior team. His appointment comes at a time when the U-23 squad has faced challenges on the international stage.
“Nafuzi’s credibility, at the age of 46, is also relied upon to strengthen the national U-23 squad, which has recently underperformed”, FAM noted. Key tasks for Nafuzi will include preparing the team for the 2025 ASEAN U-23 Championship, the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, and the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand. He will officially begin his duties on January 1, 2025.
FAM also revealed plans for further restructuring, including the appointment of a new chief executive officer and an experienced medical team to enhance operational efficiency. The medical team will utilize the latest technologies to provide top-notch medical services and treatment for Harimau Malaya players. “These measures are expected to improve management quality, strengthen player fitness, aid in player recovery, and maximize their potential”, the statement added.
The appointments of Cklamovski and Nafuzi have addressed ongoing questions regarding the restructuring of the Harimau Malaya squad. Cklamovski replaces interim head coach Pau Marti Vicente, who is currently guiding the team in the 2024 ASEAN Cup campaign, while Nafuzi takes over from Juan Torres Garrido, another Spanish coach.
With these strategic changes, FAM aims to revitalize Malaysian football and foster a competitive spirit among its national teams as they prepare for upcoming international challenges.