OFFICIAL: Malaysia national team parts ways with head coach

Head coach Peter Cklamovski has officially bid farewell to the Malaysia national team, and FAM has chosen Nafuzi Zain to manage the team for the 2026 AFF Cup.

The Malaysian national team has just undergone a major shake-up on the coaching bench as head coach Peter Cklamovski has officially said goodbye after his tenure in charge of the national team. This news was confirmed by the Australian tactician himself through an emotional message sent to fans, players, and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

In his statement, Mr. Cklamovski mentioned that it was time to seek a new challenge in his career. The coach thanked everyone who had accompanied him throughout the journey, while expressing appreciation for the efforts made by the players and coaching staff in service of the Malaysian team.

Additionally, the Australian coach also had many words of praise for Malaysian football. He highly valued the passion of the fans, the quality of the players, and the love for football in the country. According to him, these are important assets that need to be maintained for Malaysian football to develop more strongly in the future.

Peter Cklamovski's departure comes as the Malaysian national team is shifting its focus toward the 2026 AFF Cup. In light of this situation, FAM quickly arranged a replacement to ensure the preparation for the tournament remains unaffected. Under the latest decision, Coach Nafuzi Zain will take on the role of leading the Malaysian team to compete in Southeast Asia's premier tournament.

Notably, Nafuzi Zain is currently in charge of both the Malaysia U23 and Malaysia U19 teams. This has raised the possibility that the Malaysian national team will bring a completely new look to the 2026 AFF Cup, with many young players given opportunities. Instead of calling up the strongest squad as usual, the yellow-shirted team is believed to prioritize a youth-oriented plan to prepare for long-term goals.

The farewell to Peter Cklamovski closes a memorable chapter for Malaysian football, while opening a new one with many significant changes. In a context where regional rivals like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand are all investing heavily in their national teams, FAM's decision is expected to have considerable impacts on the landscape of the 2026 AFF Cup and the future of Malaysian football in the coming years.