Local Football Fans Urged to Give Rob Friend a Chance
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 (Bernama) — Local football fans have been urged to give former Canadian national player Robert Douglas Friend the opportunity to prove his credibility as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Harimau Malaya squad.
Local football observer Effendi Jagan Abdullah said he was somewhat disheartened by the reactions of some fans who seem to question the appropriateness of appointing the individual also known as Rob Friend.
Giving Him a Chance
"We must be patient and cannot immediately push the button. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, so give him time. His CV is quite impressive, but people are questioning it on social media, especially by stating that Canadian football is not the best. We need to give him a chance and support him; there’s no need to think negatively all the time; otherwise, we’ll never succeed," he told Bernama.
Adapting to Local Football Scene
Effendi acknowledged that despite Rob Friend’s extensive experience in Canadian football, he faces the challenge of adapting to the local football scene to elevate the national team’s performance. He said the first hurdle Rob Friend might encounter upon starting his duties at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya is adjusting to the mentality and work methods here, which differ from his experiences in Western countries.
Setting Realistic Targets
He also hopes that the former Borussia Monchengladbach player can play a role in boosting Harimau Malaya’s performance over the next three years. He emphasized that focus should be placed on setting more realistic targets, such as aiming to win the ASEAN Cup first, followed by competing in the Asian Cup, and eventually achieving the mission of qualifying for the World Cup in the future.
Collaboration with Local Clubs
Meanwhile, local sports analyst Mohd Sadek Mustafa wants to see the wisdom of the former Borussia Monchengladbach forward in collaborating with local clubs to release players for the national team.
"His major challenge will be dealing with club teams’ reluctance to release their players for matches outside the FIFA calendar, as seen in the last two ASEAN Cup campaigns," he said.
Revolutionising Grassroots Development
Mohd Sadek also hopes that the former LA Galaxy player can work together with national head coach Peter Cklamovski from Australia and national Under-23 head coach Mohd Nafuzi Zain in revolutionising grassroots development.
About Rob Friend
Hailing from Rosetown, Saskatchewan, Rob Friend, who will turn 44 this month, brings an impressive portfolio through his involvement in football management and administration since retiring as a player in December 2014. He began as a managing partner at DRG Investment Group, a real estate investment and management company, from 2014 to the present.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is essential for local football fans to give Rob Friend a chance to prove himself as the CEO of the Harimau Malaya squad. His extensive experience in Canadian football, along with his involvement in football management and administration, make him a strong candidate for the position. With the right approach and support, he can help elevate the national team’s performance and achieve success in the future.
FAQs
Q: What is Rob Friend’s experience in football management and administration?
A: Rob Friend has been involved in football management and administration since retiring as a player in December 2014. He has served as a managing partner at DRG Investment Group, a real estate investment and management company, from 2014 to the present.
Q: What are his significant involvements in football?
A: Rob Friend is the co-founder of Toca Football Canada, a specialized soccer training technology company, and has led the top management of two Canadian Premier League clubs, Pacific FC and Vancouver FC.
Q: What are his plans for the Harimau Malaya squad?
A: Rob Friend hopes to play a role in boosting Harimau Malaya’s performance over the next three years, setting more realistic targets, such as winning the ASEAN Cup, competing in the Asian Cup, and eventually qualifying for the World Cup.