KUALA LUMPUR – Is P. Maniam set to leave PDRM FC and pursue new career opportunities?
After less than a year in charge, Maniam’s tenure as head coach of the Cops is reportedly drawing to a close, with sources indicating he is currently engaging with several Super League and A1 Semi-Pro League clubs.
A source within the football fraternity claims that the 56-year-old coach’s decision to seek new job opportunities follows PDRM’s recent decision to unexpectedly relieve him of his duties, appointing assistant head coach Eddy Gapil for the remainder of the Super League season without any clear explanation.
For the record, Maniam was immediately rested following the Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) disciplinary committee’s recent penalty against PDRM for fielding an ineligible player during the first leg of the 2024-2025 MFL Challenge Cup final against Selangor FC at the MBPJ Stadium in Kelana Jaya on February 15.
PDRM were fined RM3,000 and handed a 3-0 forfeit loss in the first leg, which contributed to their 7-0 aggregate defeat to the Red Giants in the second leg last week. This also marked Eddy’s first game in charge of the club.
“Maniam has already begun exploring his options and is currently in talks with several mid-table clubs in the Super League, as well as some reputable clubs in the A1 Semi-Pro League that require his services.
“It seems he feels he has become a scapegoat in the club’s recent issues, as he was rested for no reason and without any proper explanation, despite all decisions related to the team having been collectively made with the management prior to FAM’s penalty.
“This would be a significant loss for the club, as Maniam has brought hope through his coaching tactics, which have been evident in the team’s progression in the Super League and their style of play.
“No coach in the country has managed to stop JDT from winning matches in the league this season, and he remains the first coach in the country to achieve this at the start of the season.
“Losing such a reputable coach could also lead to some of his top signings, such as Nigerian striker Ifedayo Olusegun, leaving the club. It is now up to PDRM management to find a way to convince him to stay,” said the source.
With Maniam’s future at the club hanging in the balance, it is important to note that throughout his 20-year coaching career, he has coached various age groups at Selangor FC, including the under-19, under-21, and senior teams.
Maniam also coached Petaling Jaya City in the Super League until its disbandment in 2022, Harini FC in the M3 League, and the national under-16 team from 2019 to 2020.
Notable players developed by him during his career include Syahmi Safari (Johor Darul Ta’zim), V. Ruventhiran (Selangor FC), Darren Lok (Sabah FC), and Mahalli Jasuli (Negri Sembilan FC).
Maniam, a former national player and Selangor FC player in the 1990s, holds a Pro Diploma from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which is the highest coaching qualification in Asia, equivalent to UEFA’s Pro Licence. — February 28, 2025