KUALA LUMPUR: Former Everton star Tim Cahill has been appointed as the personal adviser to Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the regent of Johor and owner of Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) football club.
Tunku Ismail dismissed speculation that Cahill was set to join Harimau Malaya as chief executive officer in a post on social media on Friday.
"This guy @tim_cahill is not the CEO of the national team. He is my personal adviser for sports and international relations," Tunku Ismail wrote, sharing a photograph of himself with the former Australian international.
The announcement follows weeks of rumours linking Cahill to a restructuring initiative for Harimau Malaya.
The speculation was fuelled by a photograph shared online in August, showing Cahill alongside Tunku Ismail, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and JDT CEO Alistair Edwards.
Cahill, who currently serves as technical director for the Qatar FA, was previously rumoured to be part of a special unit tasked with revamping the national team's performance.
However, the FA of Malaysia (FAM) declined to confirm or deny the reports last month.
Earlier on Friday, Tunku Mahkota Ismail said the search for a CEO for Harimau Malaya was nearing completion.
"The CEO must have played at a high level, have ties with successful football figures, and the ability to drive the national team's commercial interests," he said.
"The person should also be able to advise on policies to improve the league and the team."