Australian Brad Maloney has been national Under-23 coach Ong Kim Swee’s trusted lieutenant since 2014.
But Maloney now has a chance to prove his credentials following his appointment as the national Under-19 caretaker coach, replacing Bojan Hodak.
The 47-year-old officially started work on July 1, and his tenure is until the end of the year.
Maloney is eager to take up this chance to prove himself.
Critics were harsh on Maloney when he was officially appointed as they felt Hodak should have been retained.
However, Maloney is unperturbed as he is only focused on his new job.
Under Hodak, the national Under-19 team were runners-up in the 2017 AFF Championship and champions in last year’s edition.
The team also successfully negotiated the qualifying rounds of last year’s AFC Under-19 Championship.
“I am looking forward to working with the young players from the Mokhtar Dahari Academy as well as other camps in an effort to develop a formidable squad.
“Ideally, from here, it will allow these players to graduate to the national under-23 and senior teams.
“There will always be differences in opinion.
“Hodak is a good coach but obviously, it’s a decision made by our employer (FA of Malaysia).
“They (FAM) have an idea of how to work with these players and coaches who can create a continuity in the teams.
“This will ensure a natural progression and will also promote continuity throughout, and that’s the idea behind it.
“From here, everyone will be comfortable working with each other and hopefully it will contribute to the players’ progression in all aspects,” said Maloney.
Maloney’s immediate task is the AFF Under-18 Championship in Vietnam on Aug 6-19.
Malaysia have been drawn in Group B with Vietnam, Thailand, Australia, Singapore and Cambodia.
“It’s a tough draw as we will be facing Vietnam, Thailand and Australia.
“On paper, the three teams are the group favourites.
“But this challenge will be good for our players in terms of gaining international experience,” he said.
The former Australian international, however, will still remain as Kim Swee’s assistant.
As for the Under-19 team, Maloney will be assisted by former international Khan Hung Meng and Kris Yong (goalkeeper coach), who are also assisting Kim Swee.
Kim Swee and Maloney are a formidable pair.
Last year, the national Under-23 team, under their guidance, reached the quarter-finals of the AFC Championship and the last-16 stage of the Indonesia Asian Games.
Both also handled the senior team for a brief period following the resignation of Dollah Salleh in September 2015.
Kim Swee hopes critics will give Maloney a chance to prove himself.
“Maloney played at the highest level in his country and was part of Australia’s 1992 Barcelona Olympic team.
“He is a knowledgeable coach.
“It’s going to be a big challenge for him as his team will go in as defending champions in the AFF Under-18 Championship.
“The outing will allow him to evaluate his players’ strengths and weaknesses,” said Kim Swee.
The AFF tournament will be used by Maloney to gauge his players for the AFC Championship qualifiers in September.
The target is to qualify for the tournament proper.
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