Datuk Ong Kim Swee is no longer the national under-22 coach but he is still a busy man at Wisma FAM.
That is because he is staying on as FAM’s Head of Youth Development.
FAM secretary general Stuart Ramalingam revealed that he had discussed with Kim Swee on Friday on a one-year contract.
“We are in the midst of finalising the details. He will focus on youth development,” he said. “Kim Swee will be working directly with the Technical Director (Peter de Roo).”
Last month, Kim Swee’s contract with the national side ended following two disappointing outings last year — the Asian Under-23 qualifiers and the Philippines Sea Games.
In the Asian Under-23 in March, Malaysia were drawn with China, Laos and the Philippines. Despite getting seven points from two wins and one draw, Kim Swee’s side lost out to China, coached by Guus Hiddink, on goal difference.
At the recent Sea Games in Manila, Kim Swee’s team failed to reach the semi-finals after finishing fourth out of five teams in a group that had Myanmar, Cambodia and Philippines.
Meanwhile, Stuart said national senior head coach Tan Cheng Hoe is working on arranging friendly matches for Malaysia in June as preparations for the pre-World Cup. Malaysia have confirmed playing a friendly with World No 99 Bahrain on March 21 in Manama.