KUALA LUMPUR – Is Rajagopal preparing to rewrite football’s playbook?
Former national head coach Datuk K. Rajagopal is currently in discussions with several local and international football teams to make a re-entry into the football scene.
The 67-year-old ex-coach, who last had a brief two-year spell (2020-2022) with the Brunei national team, is not looking at coaching roles but is more interested in the positions of sporting director and technical consultant.
Speaking to Scoop, Rajagopal said there is no age limit in football, and he is always ready to use his expertise to help with the development of the sport.
“My passion for football is beyond anything, and I have always seen myself as a servant of the game. I have had a fruitful career as a coach for so many years, and I believe it’s time for me to try something different.
“I have been observing the football landscape over the past year, and I think there’s a lot that I can contribute to the development of the sport.
“In the current era of football, we need more leaders than coaches, and that’s the reason why nowadays I have been active, doing workshops, and educating the younger generation about the game.
“It’s been more than a year since I was last involved in football. Time will tell about my next destination, and I will be thinking deeply before I make my decision,” said Rajagopal.
Rajagopal orchestrated Malaysia’s historic win in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, where Harimau Malaya secured the trophy for the first time since the tournament’s inception in 1996.
Players such as Safee Sali, Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak, Zaquan Adha Abdul Radzak, Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, and K. Gurusamy were nurtured under his guidance since his tenure as the Under-19 team head coach in 2004 at the Football Association of Malaysia.
Beyond the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup victory, Rajagopal is renowned for guiding Malaysia’s Under-23 side to their first gold medal in 20 years at the 2009 SEA Games in Laos.
His illustrious career includes stints with Selangor FC, Kelantan FC, Sarawak FC and PKNS FC. – December 30, 2023