David Usop state’s caretaker coach for Malaysia Cup
What’s in a name? In global branding, it’s everything, (from third left), as FAS chief Sudarsono and K Rajagopal, whose behind-the-scenes full name is ‘Rajagobal Krishnasamy’,
pose with Sarawak team jerseys during the latter’s unveiling as the Crocs new head coach. Also seen are Abdullah (second left), Abu Bakar (second right) and vice-president Razali Dolhan (right).
KUCHING: Former national coach Datuk K Rajagopal will lead the state’s football team next season, said the Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) in an official announcement of the hot seat to regain lost glory.
The 59-year-old, making a return to football management after last heading Harimau Malaya between 2009 and 2013, will take over the helm on Dec 1 as the Crocs return to pre-season training for the 2016 Malaysia Super League campaign.
Rajagopal will not be involved with Sarawak’s Malaysia Cup campaign which kicks off this Saturday at home against the Armed Forces (ATM). Instead, he will use the tournament to assess the strength of the team.
“Sarawak is not a bad team, I like the spirit. Now we need to inspire the players. I’m not here to do miracles but we will do our best.
“Everyone will be given the opportunity as we try to develop Sarawak football back to its hey-days. We will try to get the aura going and improve gradually until this team become consistent, formidable and well respected in the future,” Rajagopal told a press conference during his unveiling as Sarawak’s new head coach at Merdeka Palace Hotel here yesterday.
Also present were FAS president Datu Sudarsono Osman, deputy president Datu Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and secretary-general Abdullah Julaihi.
Rajagopal noted that it will take time to bring the Crocs back to the pinnacle of Malaysian football. He mentioned that a collective effort from everybody is needed to improve the standard of football.
“It is going to be a challenge but it is interesting to be back in the game. Having being involved with the FAM (Football Association of Malaysia) for 11 years, it is going to be a different ball game but I am excited to be coaching Sarawak,” he continued.
Meanwhile, Sudarsono said FAS harbours high hopes that Rajagopal could form a competitive team for next season as well as identifying young local players to be absorbed into the senior squad. He will also be tasked to assist FAS in its youth development programme.
“The decision to select Rajagopal is based on ability. Being a former national football coach, he is not short of international experience. He will bring a lot into the plate. We hope to have a long journey together,” he continued.
Touching on Malaysia Cup preparation, he said that David Usop – assistant to former head coach Robert Alberts – will become the caretaker coach instead of Fuad Grbesic, who had done a commendable job in ensuring safety from super league relegation in the last seven matches.
Sudarsono explained that the Bosnian coach (Fuad) was brought in to train and develop the state Under-19 players. In the past nine months since Grbesic took on the role, Sudarsono was content to note a significant progress among the youth players.
“We hoped that Fuad would be able to produce more youth players for our team. FAS envisioned that the senior Sarawak squad will be filled with local players while complemented with foreign imports. That is the future we are looking forward to, having good local players representing the state,” he continued.
Rajagopal started his coaching career in 1990 with PKNS FC. He also had stints with Selangor and Kelantan before coaching the Malaysian Under-19 team, or known as Harimau Muda A, which he led to the Premier League crown in 2009.
Rajagopal, whose full name is ‘Rajagobal Krishnasamy’, is best known for guiding Malaysia’s Under-23 side to its first gold medal in 20 years at the 2009 SEA Games in Laos, defeating Vietnam 1-0 in the final. He also led the Malaysia national team to win the AFF Suzuki Cup in 2010.