KUALA LUMPUR: Clubs, who are struggling in the M-League, will hope that former national coach Tan Cheng Hoe returns to work sooner than expected.
The veteran strategist should be an ideal choice to save Selangor or Perak, but he is not available now Selangor have just lost their fourth consecutive Super League match while Perak are second last in the second-tier Premier League table.
Talks are rife that Cheng Hoe, who resigned after managing the national team at the AFF Cup last December, will return to M-League action soon.
Cheng Hoe has been linked with the Selangor job after their German coach Michael Feichtenbeiner was removed earlier this month following a series of poor results.
Perak are in the script too. The 54-year-old Cheng Hoe was recently pictured on social media in a discussion with Perak FC chief executive officer Bobie Farid Shamsudin. This has led to tongues wagging that he could be the new boss of the Bos Gaurus.
However, Cheng Hoe indicated that he is not in a hurry. He told Timesport yesterday that he is still looking for a "good project" for his return to club football.
Cheng Hoe said the change of format for the Super League from next season (12 teams to 18), will provide a good challenge.
"I love football and I don't think I can stay away from it for long. I see that the M-League is going to be interesting next season but let's see how it goes.
"I have not decided on joining any teams yet, and I don't prefer to take charge of teams in the middle of the season as I feel it's unfair to the coaches handling the teams.
"I have been in discussion with some teams, but it's just mere talk with club administrators. There's nothing concrete for now," he said.
Cheng Hoe has had a proven track record in the M-League. When he was with Kedah from 2014-2017, he guided the Canaries to the Premier League title and won promotion to the Super League in 2015. In the same year, Kedah reached the Malaysia Cup final (lost to Selangor).
In 2016, Cheng Hoe took Kedah to the Malaysia Cup title and third place in the Super League.
In Kedah, Cheng Hoe had helped in the development of young talents like Ifwat Akmal Chek Kassim, Akhyar Rashid, Halim Saari, Ariff Farhan Md Isa, Farhan Roslan, Amirul Hisyam Awang Kechik and Syafiq Ahmad. The amiable Penangite is known for his tactical acumen and penchant for working with young players.
Cheng Hoe said a key consideration for him to join a club is that they should be well managed.
"I always look for long-term. I want to develop players and play entertaining football. For a club to do well, it needs good administration and support from fans," said Cheng Hoe.