KUALA LUMPUR: Former international Bryan Nickson Lomas has mixed feelings about the National Sports Institutes' (NSI) decision to hire an Australian to replace Yang Zhuliang as the new national coach.
Lomas said although Australia have produced respectable results in the sport over the past two decades their coaches' track record are not as strong as those from China.
Australia themselves have hired China coaches in the past, including Zhuliang.
Christian Brooker, who was named Australia's Best Elite Youth Coach in 2014, is expected to replace Zhuliang next month.
"Australia have done quite well in the sport for some time now and have consistently won medals at the Commonwealth Games level," said Bryan on Friday.
"They have also done well at higher levels through divers such as Robert Newberry.
"They have a good approach to the sport, however, I am not sure how an Australian coach will impact our current set up. It will be something very new to us.
"In terms of results (from Australian coaches), it is also hard to say. Coaches from China, such as Zhuliang, have a proven track record.
"I have not heard of this coach (Brooker) before".
Bryan had competed alongside Newberry, a three-time Olympic bronze medallist and former world champion, at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
The Sarawakian added that he is unsure of the direction NSI, who manage the Podium Programme, are taking.
"Coaches from China place a strong emphasis on long hours in their training routines and are quite different from Australian or European coaches.
"We do not know what NSI's objectives are but I do believe there will be more emphasis on sports science from the new coach."
Zhuliang, who developed Malaysia from an unknown to a world class level, will be leaving at the end of the year.
His contract to coach the elite squad has not been renewed by the Podium Programme. He has been offered a development role, however, is not keen on such a position.