FAM parts ways with Peter Cklamovski, Rob Friend

In a statement, FAM said their contracts were terminated by mutual agreement.

Friend’s contract ended on June 1 while Cklamovski’s was terminated two days ago.

FAM said the contracts of two senior technical staff, Matthew Smith and Seiya Imazaki, were also terminated on June 16 by mutual agreement.

The contracts of under-23 head coach Nafuzi Zain and goalkeeping coach Yazid Yassin likewise ended on June 15, also by mutual agreement.

“FAM respects the decisions made and extends its highest appreciation and gratitude for their contributions throughout their tenure with the national football squad.

“We are taking the necessary measures to fill the vacant positions,” it said.

Friend became the CEO of Harimau Malaya on Jan 1, 2025, filling the position created to manage the national team. Cklamovski was appointed head coach on the same date.

Upon his appointment, FAM said it wanted Cklamovski to take Malaysia into the top 100 in the Fifa rankings. Malaysia was 132nd then, and is now ranked 136th.

Following the controversy and sanctions over seven heritage players, Fifa said Friend had “explained that he works in a consultant role to FAM” and that he was still based in Canada, only travelling to Malaysia for matchdays.

Friend however denied he was just a consultant, asserting that he was in fact the national team’s CEO.

Last month, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said Harimau Malaya’s management should fall entirely under FAM, in line with international football practices.

AFC’s audit found that the national squad was better off returning to its original structure under FAM to ensure better governance and stronger accountability.

While their appointments were part of a restructuring in the management of Harimau Malaya, FAM had denied that this was a privatisation of the team’s management.

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