PETALING JAYA, 14 Oct – Taking Kedah to second place in the shortened Malaysian Super League which came with a place in next year’s AFC Cup is an achievement for Singaporean coach Aidil Sharin Sahak and his Red Eagles can be proud of.More so, when the Kedah team went five months without salary – an issue which was “kept under wraps” until it exploded in the media.
It shocked the Malaysian football fraternity as Kedah had won the FA Cup last year and had a somewhat ”clean” management that was prudent until then.
Things, however, got positive when there was a change of the state leadership and the political scenario and this brought the positives after some delay.
The Menteri Besar is also the Kedah FA president and in this case, Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor took over the reins from former Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir and he settled overdue accounts which amounted close to RM15 million.
When Kedah beat Perak 3-2 in their final league match which was played at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh last Sunday, Aidil became a hot topic as his name was closely linked to a move to Perak after the team fell to a 7-0 defeat against Johor Darul Takzim (JDT).
Many Perakians took to the social media calling for coach Mehmet Durakovic’s removal although the Australian has a contract with the Bos Gaurus until the end of 2021.
Durakovic’is reportedly the highest-paid coach in the M-League.
Aidil was also a hot-link when Selangor unceremoniously dumped head coach B. Satianathan when the Red Giants also suffered a big defeat to JDT.
The Southern Tigers won the match 6-1 at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri.
However, Aidil’s link to Selangor died down when the Selangor FA management settled for a German and named its Technical Director, Micheal Feichentenneiner as caretaker coach. He was also the coach of Selangor’s feeder squad Selangor 2.
”I can safely say my heart is with Kedah…say 90 percent. I love the place, the players, team officials, and the fans who have been through thick and thin. They have been very supportive and played a big role in our achievements so far,” said Aidil.
“Still, we (Kedah FA and me) need to discuss the future of football in Kedah. It also spells my career as a young coach. We need to know what the future holds for both parties. There must be chemistry to move forward and this is very important.”
The former Singaporean international who took over the Kedah hot seat last year and led the team to the FA Cup title is reportedly in demand for the new season.
He claims to have received offers from teams from all four corners of the country.
For sure his credentials have soared after Kedah finished second in the Super League which was shortened to one round due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
His next target is the prestigious and much sought after silverware – the Malaysia Cup.
Aidil and the Kedah FA management is expected to meet soon to decide what is best for the new season for both parties.
One thing for sure – Aidil has marketed himself well despite the crisis in Kedah. His credentials have soared to a new high and it is left to be seen who wins the bargaining.
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