KUALA LUMPUR – Is Giorgio Pompili Rossi set for a return to the Malaysian Football League (MFL)?
Following his abrupt departure as MFL CEO on February 19, sources indicate that the Italian is now being considered for a new role within the governing body.
Speaking to Scoop on condition of anonymity, a source with close ties to Rossi revealed that he had recently been approached to lead MFL’s marketing and corporate sponsorship department.
“Apparently, Rossi is still needed by the governing body, as they require someone with extensive experience in handling marketing and sponsorships. He is now the top candidate for the role, given his impressive track record in securing corporate deals with football organisations in the past.
“Rossi is currently on holiday, but MFL reached out to him last week regarding the position. He is expected to decide in the coming weeks whether to accept the offer.
“He has been in Malaysia for a long time and understands the marketing and business aspects of Malaysian football. Staying and working in our country remains his main goal for now.
“However, if things don’t materialise, he may explore opportunities elsewhere, either in Europe or across Southeast Asia, where several organisations are reportedly keen to offer him football administration roles,” said the source.
At the same time, the source revealed that Rossi’s sudden departure as CEO was a decision made by MFL’s committee members.
“Rossi was only brought in for a short-term period, without a contract, after his predecessor’s deal was not renewed.
“While his ideas and suggestions were valuable—such as his proposal to introduce a player salary cap for financially troubled local clubs—his lack of experience in applying a foreign administration system, rather than understanding the local football structure, was one of the reasons behind the committee’s decision to let him go.
“MFL is also undergoing a revamp under newly appointed Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Joehari Mohd Ayob. Highly likely that they will make changes to the leadership and existing departments. Their main priority now is to appoint a local CEO who fully understands Malaysian football.
“Rossi has accepted his departure but remains open to serving MFL again if his service is needed,” the source added.
For the record, Rossi, the first foreign CEO of MFL, replaced Datuk Stuart Ramalingam, whose contract ended on August 31 last year.
He first arrived in Malaysia as a LaLiga delegate in 2017, playing a key role in expanding the Spanish league’s brand and promoting its clubs among Malaysian football fans.
Rossi later took on a broader role in Thailand, overseeing operations in Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar before assuming the CEO role at MFL. — March 2, 2025