Yesterday, the Malaysian football fraternity was shocked by the sudden resignation of Tan Cheng Hoe as coach of the national team.
Cheng Hoe's decision is seen as taking responsibility for Malaysia's early exit in the recent AFF Cup in Singapore.
FAM confirmed Cheng Hoe's resignation in a statement yesterday and thanked him for his 14 years (at different levels) of service.
Cheng Hoe's parting words to the national players is to work on improving their individual skill and help Malaysia in the Asian Cup qualifiers in June.
"I thank everyone, especially the FAM president (Datuk Hamidin Amin), the coaching staff, the fans for the support they've given me in my four years as coach," said Cheng Hoe.
"Most importantly I would like to thank TMJ (former FAM president Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim) for the appointment, and giving me a lot of support and motivation.
"In the last four years, I've enjoyed working with this group of players who worked tirelessly everyday.
"Sometimes, I scolded them but more often I advised them and they had given me good support. So, I ask them to keep improving themselves, look at other countries as examples and do well.
"Even though I am no longer with the national team, I do wish to someday see Malaysia build its Asian profile and dominate in the region."
Cheng Hoe said he will take some time to relax with his family in his hometown in Penang before deciding on his future.
Up to date, FAM have not appointed a replacement for Cheng Hoe as his resignation is only effective Jan 1, but his decision was made several days before the end of the year.
Meanwhile, football followers are speculating over who will succeed Cheng Hoe as national coach.
It is understood that national under-19 coach Brad Maloney could be appointed as caretaker in the absence of Cheng Hoe.
And there are those who urge FAM to appoint Kuala Lumpur's Malaysia Cup-winning coach Bojan Hodak.
There is also talk that Japanese Tatsuma Yoshida is in the frame for the Malaysian job. Yoshida has resigned as Singapore coach after the Lions failed to qualify for the AFF Cup final.
It is learnt that the FAM national team committee have yet to hold a post-mortem for Malaysia's disastrous showing in the AFF Cup.
Malaysia finished third in Group B of the Asian Cup, winning only two of their four matches.