SEPANG: Dollah Salleh announced his decision to resign as national coach on Friday to take responsibility for Malaysia's record 10-0 defeat to the United Arab Emirates.
He told reporters upon the national team's arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport that his decision is final from Abu Dhabi, where they played the World Cup Group A second round qualifying match on Thursday.
"I have communicated my decision to FAM (Football Association of Malaysia) and it has been accepted," he said.
"My decision is final and effective immediately. I will not be taking charge of the match against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
"My mind was made up as soon as the match was over. As coach, I have to take responsibility for what has happened.
"No coach can accept this result. But in the end, I am the one who is responsible."
Dollah's tenure as national coach lasted just 15 months and he expressed his disappointment in the manner of his exit.
"No coach wants something like this to happen," he said. "I would rather have gone out on a high note but this responsibility falls on me."
Dollah leaves the national team having led Malaysia to the AFF Cup final last year but without winning any of their six matches in 2015.
Besides the UAE debacle, Malaysia also lost 6-0 to both Palestine in a World Cup qualifier and Oman in a friendly and were held 1-1 by Timor Leste in their opening World Cup qualifying match.
Malaysia play their next qualifier against Saudi Arabia in Shah Alam on Tuesday, with FAM to announce on Saturday who to lead the team out.