SHAH ALAM: Former national coach K. Rajagobal has come full circle by returning to PKNS FC, the club where he launched his football career as both player and coach.
In what is only his second coaching job at a Super League club after leaving the national team in 2013, Rajagobal is delighted to be given the opportunity to take the reins at PKNS for next season.
But Rajagobal, who memorably led Malaysia to the 2010 AFF Cup title, cautioned against expecting miracles at a club which finished seventh last season after going through three coaches.
"We have to be realistic," said Rajagobal, 61, at his introduction press conference on Wednesday.
"Definitely we want to do better than last season and give the other teams a challenge.
"We also want to be respected by the other teams. It is going to be difficult but I feel like I'm 21 again and I'm excited about the challenge."
Rajagobal, who played for PKNS from 1978 to 1989 in the Selangor league and FAM Cup competitions and coached the club from 1990 to 1998, said the lure of returning to his roots was too hard to resist.
"I am back where I started my career as a footballer and staff," said Rajagobal, who signed a one-year deal.
"With my experience, I hope to repay them what they have done for me.
"What also made me really interested in coming here is that PKNS have one of the best development structures. They have the facilities and a long-term plan to achieve success."
Despite his success at international level which included winning a Sea Games gold medal in 2009, Rajagobal's achievement domestically has been restricted to winning the Premier One league title with Selangor in 2000 and the second-tier Premier League title with Young Tigers in 2009.
His last foray into the Super League ended after just five months with Sarawak in 2016 though Rajagobal, who led Kelantan to the Malaysia Cup semi-finals in 2001, said he has nothing to prove at local level.
"Nothing actually happened at Sarawak because we decided to part ways mutually," said Rajagobal, who won just one of 10 games in charge and left with Sarawak bottom of the standings.
"There was no argument or anything. For me I don't think I have anything to prove. I have come back to PKNS with the aim of achieving success."
With Penang striker Jafri Firdaus Chew and Kelantan defender Qayyum Marjoni Sabil reportedly set to join PKNS, Rajagobal declined to go into specifics about player signings.
"I have to think about the positions we need to strengthen and of course players with experience and who can fit into our plans will be welcome," said Rajagobal, who will reunite with striker Safee Sali after the heady days of the 2010 AFF Cup success.
Club general manager Mahfizul Rusydin Abdul Rashid said talks with new foreign players have not taken place despite the reported interest of Felda's Zah Rahan Krangar and Johor Darul Ta'zim's Gabriel Guerra.
"We know Guerra very well as he used to play for us but I don't think he is interested in coming back," said Mahfizul.