After the 1-3 defeat to the Vietnamese team on the evening of March 31, coach Peter Cklamovski is under a lot of pressure from Malaysian public opinion, in the context of information that he may change his coaching position before upcoming regional tournaments.
According to Malaysian media, the possibility that coach Cklamovski will not lead the Malaysian national team at the ASEAN Cup 2026 (expected to take place from the end of July) is being mentioned by the country's media. Some opinions suggest that the team may give the opportunity to Malaysia U23 team coach Nafuzi Zain to take on the task at this tournament.
After the defeat to the Vietnamese team, pressure on Mr. Cklamovski increased significantly. Some Malaysian football experts believe that the Australian coach has not created a clear professional mark since taking over the team in the context of many fluctuations in the force.
Malaysian media commented that the Malaysian national team has not shown a corresponding improvement compared to the previous period under coach Kim Pan-gon. According to him, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) needs to review the national team management model after the results have not been as expected in the past.
In 2026, the Malaysian national team is expected to participate in two regional tournaments including the ASEAN Cup and the FIFA ASEAN Cup. Among them, the ASEAN Cup does not take place during the FIFA Days period, so the option of using young forces, mainly U23 players, is being mentioned by Malaysian media as an option to create conditions to accumulate experience for the next generation.
Previously, coach Cklamovski himself also said that he would work with FAM to unify the personnel plan for the ASEAN Cup, in the context that the national team does not have the strongest force.
Currently, coach Cklamovski's contract with the Malaysian national team is valid until the end of 2026. However, after the team failed to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup finals, the future of the Australian strategist is receiving much attention from Malaysian media and fans.
