KELANA JAYA -- The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) have decided against forming a 2017 SEA Games Project squad for the national Under-22 team this year after scheduling conflicts and complaints from Malaysia Super League (MSL) teams.
That means new coach Frank Bernhardt, who was promised a side to compete in either the third tier FAM League or the second tier Premier League, will be consigned to scouting and monitoring duties before assuming full control when the MSL concludes towards the end of the year.
The newly appointed German couldn't help express his disappointment at the Malaysian national football body's sudden U-turn, but said he would try to make the best of the situation.
"The league takes a break during the Ramadhan season in June and stops in November, so I will have the chance to work with them then," Bernhardt said. "There are also the FIFA international friendlies in March and April, which gives me room to asses the players."
Bernhardt will have only this week to work with the 20-man squad before they are released to their respective teams ahead of February's start to the MSL season.
"It makes no sense at all," he said. "Usually matters such as this are planned in advance, so that these players do not sign contracts with other teams. But on the bright side, I will have the chance to pick the best players from the league."
The 46-year-old was appointed by FAM after guiding the Estonia U19 and U21 teams to the elite rounds of the European competition in 2009 and 2011. He added that he has had no problems getting his message across to the players on the training pitch, despite their lack of English skills.
"I have my assistant coaches who help me translate my message if the players do not understand," he said. "I used to coach in Azerbaijan which a Muslim country so Malaysia is not difficult getting used to." Bernhardt's main task is guiding the national team to the football gold medal at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur next year.