Football: Fandi replaced as head coach of Johor Darul Takzim

SINGAPORE: It looks like Fandi Ahmad's reign as head coach of Malaysian Super League (MSL) Johor Darul Takzim has come to an end.

In an official statement, the Johor Crown Prince Tunku Idris, who bankrolls the MSL side, announced that JDT are close to appointing a "new Spanish head coach" to take over the reins. Fandi will be designated as assistant coach.

"We have decided to appoint a new Spanish head coach, who is very experienced in the game," said the statement.

"He has coached teams like Valencia and Atletico Madrid before. Fandi Ahmad will remain with the team, but on an assistant coach capacity."

Speculation is that the Spanish coach in question is Cesar Ferrando Jimenez, the former coach of Valencia and Atletico Madrid.

The move may come as a shock to Singapore football fans but given the amount of money that JDT poured into rebuilding the newly-promoted side for this season's MSL, and the returns they have received, it may not be so surprising.

Despite signing a string of Malaysian internationals including striker Norshahrul Idlan Tahala, and ex-Spain striker Daniel Guiza, who was the top scorer at Euro 2008, and former Lazio midfielder Simone Del Nero on huge pay packages, Johor have ended up with no silverware so far, and have been making news instead for their inconsistent form.

They finished third in the MSL after faltering at the tail end of a neck-to-neck title race with the LionsXII, and lost 1-0 to Kelantan in the FA Cup final.

Guiza and Del Nero were also released in April, the former despite scoring regularly because the club did not want to sign him on a permanent basis, and the latter because he did not make the sort of impact JDT were looking for.

They were replaced by Argentine striker Leonel Nunez and Brazilian midfielder Andrezinho but the duo could not help JDT to win any silverware.

Fandi was also recently reported as blasting his players for a lack of fighting spirit in their remaining league matches, which suggests that the 51-year-old former national skipper has been increasingly feeling the pressure.

It looks like JDT are desperate to win the Malaysia Cup, the remaining trophy left in the season, hence the decision to bring in a new coach.

Channel NewsAsia understands that the management of Johor had informed Fandi, who is currently in Chile visiting his son, about their decision.

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/football-fandi-replaced/750600.html

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