The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has officially announced the appointment of Tan Cheng Hoe as the interim head coach of the national team, replacing Peter Cklamovski.

The decision to reappoint the 58-year-old tactician was made after taking into account his extensive experience, proven track record, and deep understanding of the local football landscape.

FAM expressed immense confidence that Cheng Hoe’s expertise and familiarity with national football will serve as a crucial asset in revitalizing the Harimau Malaya squad.

A Proven Track Record

Cheng Hoe is widely regarded as one of Malaysia’s most experienced homegrown coaches. Born in Alor Setar, Kedah, his coaching journey with the national setup dates back over two decades.

He initially served as the assistant coach for the national Under-20 team (2005–2009) and the Under-23 squad (2009–2010).

Working alongside Datuk K. Rajagobal as an assistant coach, Cheng Hoe helped guide Malaysia to historic heights, securing the 2009 SEA Games gold medal and capturing the coveted 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup title.

He later assumed the role of Head Coach of the national team from December 2017 to December 2021, where he famously led Harimau Malaya to a runners-up finish in the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup.

On the domestic front, Cheng Hoe enjoyed a highly successful tenure with Kedah, steering them to the 2015 Premier League title, the 2016 Malaysia Cup, and the 2017 Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Cup (Charity Shield).

He also managed Selangor from 2022 to 2024 before moving abroad to manage Thai club Police Tero FC.

Returning to the National Setup

In April 2025, Cheng Hoe made his return to FAM when he was appointed as the national team’s Technical Director.

His transition into the interim head coach role is seen as a strategic move to stabilize the squad immediately.

FAM stated that they hope Cheng Hoe’s appointment will inject fresh energy into the Harimau Malaya squad as they look to elevate their competitive edge and performance on the Asian and international stages.