FAM parts ways with Peter Cklamovski as Malaysia head coach
FAM parts ways with head coach Peter Cklamovski and senior staff effective June 1, 2026; FAM says departures were mutual and transition underway now.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) confirmed on 18 June 2026 that Peter Cklamovski’s contract as head coach of the Malaysia national team was terminated by mutual agreement, effective 1 June 2026. The announcement also covered the departure of senior technical staff members Matthew Smith and Seiya Imazaki, as well as Under-23 coach Nafuzi Zain and goalkeeper coach Mohd Yazid Mohd Yassin. FAM said the changes were reached by mutual consent and that the association will begin an internal transition process immediately.
FAM Confirms Coaching Departures
Petaling Jaya-based FAM issued a statement on 18 June 2026 confirming the coaching staff changes and describing them as mutual decisions reached between the parties involved. The association listed Peter Cklamovski, Matthew Smith and Seiya Imazaki among those whose national team contracts have ended, and cited no further operational details in its initial release.
The announcement also named Nafuzi Zain, who led the under-23 setup, and goalkeeper coach Mohd Yazid Mohd Yassin as leaving their roles by mutual consent. FAM framed the departures as part of an organized transition and said it will communicate further administrative measures as they are finalized.
Chief Executive Officer Rob Friend Also Departs
Alongside the coaching exits, FAM confirmed that national team Chief Executive Officer Rob Friend has left the organisation by mutual agreement. The simultaneous departure of a senior administrative figure and multiple technical staff marks a significant change to the governing body’s leadership structure.
FAM did not immediately outline an interim executive arrangement for Friend’s duties or provide a timetable for appointing a replacement. The association indicated it will address corporate and football operations responsibilities while it surveys candidates and considers next steps.
Contract Timing and Scope of Changes
FAM specified that Peter Cklamovski’s contract was terminated with effect from 1 June 2026, a date that precedes the public notice issued in mid-June. The association described the departures as mutual and contractual, suggesting the decisions were handled through administrative agreement rather than unilateral dismissal.
The group of affected personnel includes senior squad technical staff and youth-development coaches, indicating a broad reconfiguration of both first-team and developmental coaching resources. The concurrent changes to the technical and executive teams underscore a coordinated personnel review at the association level.
Immediate Sporting Implications for Malaysia
With multiple coaches departing, FAM faces the task of stabilising preparations for national team programmes across senior and under-23 levels. The exits create immediate gaps in training leadership, goalkeeping coaching and tactical planning that the association will need to address ahead of any forthcoming international windows.
FAM has indicated a transition process is under way, but it has not published a detailed interim coaching plan or named caretakers to lead sessions. The association’s next operational steps will be watched closely by players, clubs and regional stakeholders seeking clarity on selection, training camps and match planning.
Context and Reactions within Malaysian Football
Reaction within the local football community is expected to range from concern about short-term disruption to interest in the route FAM takes for replacements. Observers have noted that coaching stability can be central to long-term player development, particularly across youth pathways and goalkeeper training, both of which lost key personnel in this round of departures.
FAM’s statement did not attribute the changes to specific performance metrics or external pressures, and officials have so far declined to expand on the internal considerations that led to mutual contract terminations. That restraint leaves stakeholders to focus on the administrative process and the association’s stated commitment to an orderly transition.
Search for Successors and Governance Considerations
FAM faces a multi-front recruitment challenge: an incoming head coach, replacements for senior technical roles, a new under-23 head coach and a goalkeeper coach, plus a successor for the CEO position. The association’s handling of those appointments will shape short- and medium-term strategy for national team programmes and institutional leadership.
Observers expect FAM to weigh both domestic and international candidates for technical positions while also considering continuity and alignment with long-term national development plans. Any appointment process will likely involve internal committees, consultation with stakeholders and a balance between immediate sporting needs and broader organisational objectives.
FAM’s next formal communications will be closely watched for timeframes around interim arrangements, the scope of any search process and whether the association adopts an expedited recruitment timeline to minimise disruption to team preparations.
The departures mark a clear organisational reset for FAM and present an opportunity for the association to articulate a refreshed strategy for Malaysia’s senior and youth national teams. The speed and transparency of the recruitment process, and the choice of replacements, will be crucial to restoring stability and providing direction for players and staff in the months ahead.
