Selangor stand firm on Pan-gon as management backs long-term direction
Players expressed satisfaction with the overall direction of the team.
SHAH ALAM - Selangor FC have confirmed that head coach Kim Pan-gon will remain in charge, with the club stressing continuity despite a season marked by managerial changes and near misses in cup competitions.
Chief Executive Officer Dr Johan Kamal Hamidon said the South Korean coach has already brought visible improvement since arriving mid-season and the club views the current phase as part of a longer development process.
“We were certainly hoping to finish the competition in a better position this year. So far, we have lost in two semi-final matches and failed to reach the final.
This is something we need to review. I believe Pan-gon and his coaching staff will work hard to assess, understand and find solutions so that we can perform better next year.
“This year has been challenging because we had three different coaches. It started with Katsuhito Kinoshi, then Christophe Gamel as interim, before Pan-gon took over mid-season.
“It was not an easy task for him to come in while the league was ongoing with the existing squad and immediately achieve outstanding results,” he said.
Selangor’s campaign this season has seen them fall short in both the FA Cup and Malaysia Cup, exiting at the semi-final stage on both occasions.
However, their season is not over, with the Asean Club Championship still offering a route to silverware as they prepare to face Vietnam’s Nam Dinh FC in the semi-finals next month.
In the Super League, Selangor remain in contention at the top end of the table with three matches left, sitting third and level on points with second-placed Kuching City FC, who still have a game in hand.
Despite the setbacks, Pan-gon’s record has been strong, with just one defeat in 16 matches since taking over.
Johan added that the dressing room has responded positively to the coach’s leadership style, with players expressing satisfaction with the overall direction of the team.
The immediate focus, he said, is to finish the league strongly while continuing their push in continental competition.
“We still want to end the season strongly. Pan-gon is also currently focusing on the remaining important matches including the Asean Club Championship. What is certain is that he will be retained,” he said.
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