Nov 27, 2021 - FASAfter the dust of 2021 settled, one man has emerged to be entrusted with the task of leading Selangor FC in the coming season. He is none other than the same person who had earlier formulated the framework of the club's playing style himself; Sporting Director, Michael Feichtenbeiner.
After the Red Giants ended the 2021 season with their quarter-final defeat to Klang Valley Derby rivals Kuala Lumpur City last week, changes were quickly made to the first team coaching staff. Feichtenbeiner was appointed the head coach for next season, while 2021 boss and his German compatriot, Karsten Neitzel was reassigned to the assistant coach role.
More exciting was the appointment of former player and Felda United head coach, Nidzam Jamil as another of Feichtenbeiner's assistants. The 41-year old's name has been touted over the last two years by Selangor FC fans as a future candidate to be part of the club’s development project.
Feichtenbeiner acknowledged that the first team has underperformed this season, which necessitated his acceptance of the head coach post when it was assigned to him by the club board.
"The first team ended the Super League in fifth place and I agree that this is below expectations. When a team fails to meet expectations, it is the failure of everyone; the sporting director, the coaching staff, the players. But it is the head coach that has to take responsibility.
"However I also have responsibility, and when the board asked me to take over as the head coach for next season, I accepted it because the project of 'Selangor DNA' throughout the club was devised by me.”
"It's nice to see young boys getting playing minutes, but the fact is, not just in Malaysia but also everywhere club football is played, the success of the first team counts. Next season we can't end in fifth place and fail to get past the quarter-finals again," he explained.
Now with two former head coaches on his staff, the 61-year old trainer explained the role that each of his new assistants will play.
"I'm happy to have Nidzam on the coaching staff, he's a talented and open-minded local coach. He has history here at the club which is always good to have. He used to play for me [at MPPJ FC] and I saw him grow into a coach himself at Felda, and I'm totally happy to have him on my team.
"I'm also relieved to have managed to convince Kalle (Neitzel) to stay on. He is still very proud to be a part of Selangor, and to help chart our path to success in 2022.
"Modern football requires more individualised training and this is also applicable to technical and tactical drills. I intend to split the team in training into offence and defence and Nidzam, who used to play as a defender, will focus on our defenders. Meanwhile Kalle who was a top midfielder during his time will turn his attention towards our attackers, while my time will be spent on general tactics. This division in training was something I picked up during my time with the German Football Association (DFB)," noted the former junior Germany national team head coach.
Another change that Feichtenbeiner is looking to implement is in the fitness level of the first team players.
"I want the team to play attacking football and this requires fit players. My training will be more fitness-focused so that we will be fitter than our opponents.
"Of course I also believe that the fitter a player is, the less likely they are to get injured. When you're strong, you will walk away from more challenges," he said, alluding to the injuries picked up by many of the first team players this season.
In his second stint as first team head coach, this time on a permanent basis, Feichtenbeiner has set several objectives for the Red Giants next season. While winning silverware is on the list, the path to trophies is what matters most to him.
"You can't win trophies every week, it's just not possible," he answered frankly. "So my first goal is to entertain our fans. If they're excited to see a good game, it counts as a success to me as a coach. And as a coach my priority is on scoring, instead of on defending and waiting to take advantage of a mistake to win 1-0. I want to attack from the beginning, because we have a reputation to maintain and are almost always the favourite team going into a match. We must be proud to be Selangor FC, and we must attack and score as many goals as possible.
"This will then lead to having a strong team, with the chance to win every match we play. I want the team to arrive for every match with the aim of winning. I want to go step-by-step, only when we start winning matches with a strong team can we start talking about trophies, but winning a title is the endgame, that's for sure."
Before the interview ended, he recalled another motivation for taking over the reins at Selangor FC for the 2022 season. Feichtenbeiner recounted the emotions he felt upon seeing the club supporters staying behind in the stands despite having been knocked out, after their second leg Malaysia Cup quarter-final defeat last week, in Cheras.
"It was the most emotional moment for me since I joined Selangor FC two years ago. Our fate was sealed after the exit but our ultras kept singing, our fans stayed in their seats to show their support to the team and that's the kind of support that I need.
"I know they wanted to win something but they nevertheless respected the effort that the team displayed. That's what I meant by wanting to entertain the fans; if they see the players wearing the shirt with pride, working hard, constantly attacking and playing bravely, they will accept [the result]. They will also keep supporting us in the coming season.
"I told the players and myself that when our fans sang to the team, this was the best motivation that we could ever hope for next season. We want to make them happy, I want to experience moments like this again next season, but with better results definitely. A lot will be demanded from the players, but moments like this will power them through," said the former Bintang Medan head coach with a hopeful smile.