KUALA LUMPUR: Just hours after orchestrating Malaysia's gold medal in the men's cycling road race at the Sea Games in Singapore, coach Sebastian Duclos has requested for his contract to be terminated on July 31.
The 42-year old Frenchman confirmed his desire to leave the Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG), telling the New Straits Times that he had been disappointed by the lack of respect for his decisions from the team's management and for not being allowed to carry out programmes and plans as he desired.
Today Harrif Saleh delivered his second gold medal in the coveted men's road race, to complete a thumping end to Malaysia's 10-year gold medal drought in the biennial Games.
"I have informed the chief operating officer Nasiruddin Wan Idrus that I want my contract cut short, ending on July 31. He said he will discuss it with the CEO. I don't know what they will discuss, but my mind is made up," said Duclos.
For this Sea Games, the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) had agreed for TSG to take charge of preparations and competition, with five of the six rider wearing the national jersey being Duclos' charges at the professional outfit.
"I think I have done my part well given the circumstances. I have delivered the UCI Asia Tour overall title in 2011, then there were problems with the management, so I went away and came back last year," said Duclos.
"Then I was given the task of bringing back the Sea Games gold medal which Malaysia had not won for 10 years. I accepted the challenge and I delivered.
"But while I worked, this decision was coming. I have had enough of not being able to do my job the way I want to and not getting the respect for my decisions," said Duclos.
His contract with TSG was due to end on Dec 31.