# Croatians Bojan Hodak and Nenad Bacina to change Penang’s fortunes
# Hodak named as CEO while Bacina is the new manager
# Panthers expected to make some drastic changes during coming transfer window
# Missing the cut for the Malaysia Cup all time low for Penang football
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By Rizal Abdullah
Two Croatians – Bojan Hodak and Nenad Bacina – have been given full power by the Penang Football Association to transform Penang football after a disastrous campaign in the Super League after the first half of the season.
Penang are out of the Malaysia Cup – thanks to the new format for the country’s oldest football tournament and the most sought after silverware in Malaysian football. The team at the bottom of the 12-team Super League after the completion of the first round fixtures is booted out.
The top 11 teams in the Super League and the top five in the lower tier Premier League got the nod and the draw was made in Kuala Lumpur on Monday,
Hodak is a household name in Malaysian football, having coached teams like Kelantan and Johor Darul Takzim. Bacina coached JDT II in the Premier League and also had a stint with Tampines Rovers in the Singapore League.
Hodak was in Malacca last Friday to watch the Premier League clash between PKNS FC and DRB-Hicom in their opening second round fixtures.
As the new man at the helm of Penang as the CEO of the Panthers, the Croatian said he will consider the job of head coach next season if offered.
“Not this year when the league is half way through. I would not want to put my head on the chopping block when the team was not selected by me. So I will play a different role and see what can be done for Penang football,” said Hodak.
With Hodak given executive powers to give Penang football a “turnaround” it is left to be seen if Penang will feature in the coming transfer window but the Croatian hinted that changes must be made to get the desired results.
A new head coach will be announced soon to replace Brazilian Jacksen Tiago who was “rested” last month after Penang’s poor run in the Super League which resulted in the Panthers not making the Malaysia Cup.
Manzoor Azwira is the acting coach.
