Mr. Tan Cheng Hoe is the interim head coach of the Malaysian national team.

The coaching position of the Malaysian national team is now empty, yet FAM has begun outlining its next steps.

The succession plan is gradually taking shape as sources indicate that FAM is considering bringing in a Japanese technical team to take charge of the national side. This move could be implemented after the FAM elections in September, or even sooner.

"A group is pushing for the appointment of a Japanese coaching staff after the elections because the current team's contracts extend until December," a source revealed.

Yesterday, FAM confirmed that head coach Peter Cklamovski, along with two assistants Matthew Smith and Seiya Imazaki, have parted ways with the national team by mutual agreement, effective from June 16.

Earlier, Malaysian national team CEO Rob Friend had his contract terminated effective June 1, while U23 head coach Nafuzi Zain and goalkeeping coach Mohd Yazid Mohd Yassin also left their posts on June 15.

These consecutive departures mean that the Malaysian national football apparatus has been almost entirely reset.

With the AFF Hyundai Cup scheduled from July 24 to August 26 and the FIFA ASEAN Cup in Jakarta approaching in September, FAM may need a temporary solution before making a long-term appointment decision.

The most prominent candidate for the interim head coach role is national team technical director Tan Cheng Hoe.

The 58-year-old coach is regarded as the most reliable choice among FAM's four current technical directors. The other three—Scott Ollerenshaw, Soleen El-Zoubi, and Datuk Ong Kim Swee—are all occupied with other duties.

Tan Cheng Hoe's capability is unquestionable. He previously led the Malaysian national team from 2017 to 2022, helping Malaysia secure the runner-up position in the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup and achieving a 50% win rate across 40 matches, with a record of 20 wins, 4 draws, and 16 losses.

FAM stated that it will soon release further announcements regarding the national team's setup in the coming days.