KUALA LUMPUR: Some South Korea fans may want Kim Pan Gon to return home, but they and the Korean Football Association (KFA) can forget about it.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) have made it clear that their head coach cannot be touched as they already have long-term plans in store for him.
FAM deputy president Datuk Yusoff Mahadi believes it is impossible to let Pan Gon go, as Harimau Malaya have an important 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup Qualifying campaign to go through, which resumes next month.
"There have been a lot of requests from people out there and some want him out. FAM has its own plans to ensure that we can build on the progress achieved under Pan Gon," said Yusoff in a press conference after FAM's executive council meeting in Kelana Jaya, today.
"For now, there has not been any official request from the KFA to bring Pan Gon back to Korea.The match against Oman (in the 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup Qualifying campaign) is also too close.
"It was the KFA who suggested Pan Gon to us, so I don't think they are looking to take him back. He has been helping us to improve our game."
Yusoff confirmed that the national body has tied down Pan Gon with a contract extension.
"We have long-term plans with him. We are hoping to be better prepared and continue our momentum in our qualifying campaign," he said.
The poor performance of the South Korean national team in the recently concluded Asian Cup has raised question marks regarding the future of their coach, Jurgen Klinsmann.
A number of South Korean fans vented their frustration on social media and wanted Pan Gon to return to guide their national team.