Location:
PETALING JAYA
The 49-year-old former Bayern Munich youth coach met Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin last Monday and yesterday afternoon travelled to the Malaysian Football Academy in Gambang, Kuantan, with National Sports Council (NSC) officials.
Khairy is chairman of the national football development committee which involves the Youth and Sports Ministry, NSC, FA of Malaysia (FAM) and the Ministry of Education. An eight-year National Football Development Programme (NFDP) was initiated last year with the target to see Malaysia qualify for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2019.
Teong Kim could well become the technical director of the NFDP as his older brother Lim Kim Choon who was holding the post did not renew his contract in June and went on to join the FIFA development programme office as their Technical Director at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) building in Bukit Jalil.
Teong Kim confirmed yesterday with Mailsport his meeting with Khairy and his trip to Gambang.
“It is still all in the initial stages of discussion. Yes, I am interested to return to Malaysia and assist in the development of football in the country, but I have to be convinced that everything is in place and we can work well,” said Teong Kim who played with Bundesliga side Herta Berlin in 1987 besides Malacca, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan and Kedah in the M-League.
Teong Kim the man!
“It was a fruitful discussion with the Sports Minister who is serious about soccer development in the country. I need to see the system in place, the facilities and long-term plan, before making any decisions,” added Teong Kim who coached the Bayern Munich junior team from 2001 to 2012 and worked with coaches like Owen Hargreaves, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomar Muller and David Alaba.
“I am no longer with the Bayern Munich coaching set-up as the new management have new plans and restructured their coaching system.
“Since leaving Bayern Munich last year, I have been spending time doing things like cycling, travelling and other hobbies which was I unable to do when I was coaching.
“I would like to give something back to Malaysian soccer and will consider working here if everything is worked out well,” said Teong Kim who had a brief stint with the FA of Malaysia in the late 90s with the soccer academies.
But Teong Kim is a no-nonesense man and says that is the way it is. It might not go down well with many, but he speaks the truth and is serious about his job.
Teong Kim would definitely be the right man for the development of football in the country, provided it is done the way he wants and above all, professionally.
With the NFDP already in place and good groundwork put in by Kim Choon, Teong Kim could well see things move his way.
But the ball is at Teong Kim’s feet and only he can decide whether he will be the man.
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