KUCHING: Three major developments happened in the local football scene over the past week.
First, neighbours Sabah won the Premier League while Sarawak ended their run of defeats, recording only their third win of the
season.
The third development is the three individuals touted to be the next Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) boss.
The names in the mix are Kuching FA president Fazzruddin Abdul Rahman, former Sarawak team manager Datuk Gulzar Mohammad and former FAS president Datuk Sudarsono Osman.
Changes are needed as Sarawak have performed badly this season and could be playing in the M-League’s third tier competition next season.
One does not need to be a rocket scientist to know that Sarawak football has sunk to its lowest ebb as the team are now entrenched at the bottom of the Premier League.
Remember, they were once one of the most feared sides playing in the top tier league for many seasons, from the 1990s and early this decade.
Even if by a sheer miracle that they managed to beat the drop, the question is so what?
Sarawak need a saviour fast, like when they once had Alan Vest in the 1990s and more recently Robert Alberts.
And these are the only two foreign coaches who had performed the almost impossible task of lifting Sarawak football.
But at the time also, they had the right presidents helming FAS, providing leadership to make 2013 Premier League champions Sarawak a success.
It is almost impossible for any coach to do well if the conditions are not right. Interference in decisions, respect from players, staff and management are some of the factors that make or break the season.
Then there is the big issue of money as it is not cheap to run FAS as it costs millions. So a huge chunk of funds comes both from the government and the private sector through sponsorships.
Gulzar poured in millions to sign star players, both foreign and local, to strengthen Sarawak for the promotion push and managed to keep the team in the top tier for only one or two seasons.
Sudarsono was the person who opted for Dutch coach Alberts to keep the side from the lower leagues when it seemed that the team were getting nowhere with the previous coach.
Coaches need to wield power when it comes to handling the team and local coaches are always manipulated by “outside interference” as they are at the mercy of their bosses when it comes to their contracts.
This is clearly happening in our local set-up where the boss will “suggest” which players to start.
As for Alberts, whose credentials included winning three league titles in three different countries, he had been recalled twice and twice, he did the job of helping Sarawak win promotion to the top tier Super League.
However, he might not heed the call at the third time of asking as he left Sarawak with a heavy heart after bringing the team to an acceptable level.
So Sarawak FA has to tread carefully when it comes to the appointment of a coach, one with the right credentials and not leave it to dangerous shenanigans.
