Selangor coach Devan relieved of managerial duties

Selangor have replaced their manager and signed three players on loan from Young Tigers ahead of the Malaysia Cup, which starts in September.

 

K. Devan has been relieved of his managerial duties with FA of Selangor (FAS) general secretary Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin taking over as manager for the remainder of the season.

FAS hopes the change will allow Devan to focus solely on his coaching duties to steer Selangor to their first Malaysia Cup victory since 2005.

The association has also signed Young Tigers B captain D. Saarvindran and two Young Tigers A reserve players -- Haziq Zikri Elias and Muhd Nazri Ahmad -- on loan until the end of the season.

Haziq, a striker who played for English club Stevenage FC's Under-18 side, and Nazri, a defender, are both fringe players in the Tigers' squad.

The trio, whose contracts with the FA of Malaysia (FAM) end in December, will be given permanent deals if they impress in the Malaysia Cup.

Their inclusion will bolster Devan's options in the squad, as Selangor's season has been hampered by injuries and an ineffective strike force after the departure of national striker Safee Sali to Indonesia's Pelita Jaya FC.

Devan tried out several players, including captain Amri Yahyah and Fadzli Saari, to fill the void left by Safee, but all failed to make an impression.

Selangor's uninspiring performance saw them finish third in the Super League.

It is also learnt that national captain Safiq Rahim and flanker Amirulhadi Zainal are planning to leave Selangor after the Malaysia Cup as they have received offers from Indonesian clubs.

As for the three new signings, Saarvindran, 19, is the one with the most potential. The former Olympic squad trainee, a midfielder-cum-striker, scored 10 goals in his first season with Tigers B in the 2010 Premier League season.

Saarvindran's impressive performance earned him a spot in the national Under-23 squad for a three-month stint to Slovakia last year but was subsequently dropped from the Olympic squad by coach Ong Kim Swee.

The Klang-born was again a star in this season's Premier League, where he once again top-scored for Tigers B with six goals.

"I am really excited to join Selangor," said Saarvindran, who will officially start training with his new team today.

"I am proud, thrilled and can't wait to get going now. Everyone can see that Selangor are a big club, a fantastic club, with tradition and great supporters.

"I want to play at the highest level and test myself in the biggest of games. My goal is to make a difference for Selangor in the Malaysia Cup."

Devan sang praises of his new signing, admitting his performance in the Premier League played a big part in his desire to bring him to Selangor.

"Saarvindran is a very hardworking midfielder, who can score goals and is versatile. Haziq and Nazri are also very good players.

"Their presence will boost Selangor's chances in the Malaysia Cup," said Devan.