Chasing Moriyasu will not fix Malaysian football, expert warns

Football development expert Tom Byer has cautioned Malaysia against relying on high-profile coaching appointments, emphasizing that long-term youth development is crucial for building a stronger national team. This warning comes after reports emerged suggesting Japan's coach Hajime Moriyasu may be linked to the Harimau Malaya job, although the Malaysian Football Association (FAM) has not confirmed any approach or appointment.

Byer, who has extensive experience in grassroots football, contends that while a new coach could yield short-term gains, it won't tackle the underlying structural problems plaguing Malaysian football. In a LinkedIn post, Byer urged the nation to understand that changing a national team coach may alter tournament outcomes, but implementing a genuine youth development strategy can transform an entire generation of players.

He also questioned the feasibility of employing a Japanese coach to manage local and heritage players through multiple translators. Byer argued that the issue lies not just with coaching, but with the overall approach to football in Malaysia. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is currently evaluating its options following Malaysia's third-place finish in this year's FIFA Asean Cup, where they defeated Vietnam 1-0 in the bronze-medal match.

Moriyasu, who led Japan to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, is currently contracted with the Japan FA until after the upcoming Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, with Go Oiwa set to take over after the tournament. The speculation surrounding the appointment of a high-profile coach has also sparked discussions about the potential financial implications.

Football agent Effendi Jagan Abdullah estimated monthly salaries for top Japanese coaches to range from US$30,000 (RM122,440) to US$60,000, although Moriyasu's personal demands remain undisclosed.