KUALA LUMPUR: Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz and former World Cup winner Jurgen Klinsmann are the latest high-profile names linked to the new Harimau Malaya project.
The FA of Malaysia (FAM) is expected to unveil changes to the team's management on Dec 15, with reports suggesting that one of them could be part of the ambitious RM15 million project.
The new setup will likely operate independently from the current FAM national team committee.
Queiroz, 68, currently coaches Egypt, while Klinsmann, 60, has been without a role since his dismissal as South Korea coach following their semi-final exit at the Asian Cup in February.
However, Malaysian football legend Datuk Jamal Nasir said that while high-profile names linked to the Harimau Malaya job might be appealing, they will come with hefty price tags.
"We want the best, but the best comes at a price. Just look at Arif Aiman Hanapi — teams would need to pay RM3-RM4 million for a player like him. It's the same with coaches," said Jamal.
"We need someone who understands the local culture and has experience in Asian football.
"Sometimes, foreign coaches with impressive resumes come here but fail to deliver."
Jamal pointed to the example of Claude Le Roy, who coached Malaysia in the mid-90s but struggled to achieve success.
"Le Roy didn't do well with Malaysia, but he took Ghana to No. 14 in the FIFA world rankings, their highest-ever position. So, it's not always about the name, it's about the right fit," said Jamal.
He also touched on the importance of addressing the psychological aspect of coaching, stressing that Malaysia's players often have a professional skillset but an amateur mentality.
"When you represent your country, it is essential to excel both on and off the field.
"Mental fitness is as critical as technical coaching, and a coach who can motivate players effectively is vital," said Jamal.
Further complicating the narrative, Timesport recently linked former Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) coaches Benjamin Mora and Esteban Solari to the project.
However, Spanish media have since reported that Mora is set to take over at Mexican club Gallos Blancos de Queretaro, ruling him out of contention.
One certainty in the upcoming restructuring is that Australian football legend Tim Cahill will play a significant role in shaping Harimau Malaya's future.