# ‘I did not ask for the sky’ – Cheng Hoe
# ‘I will have to study the new contract first before I sign’ – Cheng Hoe
# Cheng Hoe spent RM100,000 from his own pocket to get his Pro License
By Rizal Abdullah
As of Boxing Day (Dec 26) Kedah’s award winning coach Tan Cheng Hoe has yet to sign his new contract after leading the Red Eagles to the prestigious Malaysia Cup and a third place in the Super League apart from reaching the FA Cup semi-finals.
However, the former international will stay put with Kedah although it was earlier reported that Penang had offered Cheng Hoe a lucrative contract with a far better deal.
He had earlier made it known to the Kedah management of his intention to stay with Kedah – which both parties agreed verbally. It is learnt that Cheng Hoe collected his draft copy of the contract on Monday.
But the manner in which the Kedah management “dragged their feet” in finalising Cheng Hoe’s new contract with better terms and conditions leaves much to be desired – especially when other teams had made a head start in their preparations.
It must be remembered that Cheng Hoe used his own money to go to Guangzhou, China for his Pro License and at the end of this year’s M-League season he headed to Belgium for attachment stints with some of the leading clubs there.
All in all Cheng Hoe spent RM100,000 for his “investment” to be upgrade his career as a professional coach. The Pro License is the passport to coach UEFA Europa League or the Champions League.
This year Kedah ended the season by winning the much sought after Malaysia Cup – defeating last year’s champions Selangor in the final at the Shah Alam Stadium. In the process Kedah gained sweet revenge for the 2-0 defeat to the Red Giants in 2015 in last year’s final.
The Kedah FA management should have been more professional in their dealings with Cheng Hoe and not let leave him in a dilemma.
If Cheng Hoe has asked for a better monetary deal it is something best described by Cheng Hoe in his own words “I did not ask for the sky.”
It is something he deserves after winning the Malaysia Cup for Kedah and a respectable third place finish behind champions Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) and runners-up Felda United in the elite Super League.
Kedah also reached the FA Cup semi-finals this year. For the record Kedah earned promotion to the Super League after winning the Premier League title last year.
At the end of the M-League season, Cheng Hoe went to Belgium for attachments with leading clubs in the country to further upgrade himself with the latest know-how of the game.
The “tarik tali” (back and forth) over the terms and conditions should not have occurred in the first place when the former international delivered and has taken Kedah football back to its rightful place as the “powerhouse” of Malaysian football.
Kedah achieved a grand double treble in 2007 and 2008 under coach Azraai Khor Abdullah. With a young team Kedah are headed for better things in the M-League.
With Cheng Hoe credited for grooming several young talent Kedah are touted as the team to watch in the new season.
Apart from Cheng Hoe winning the Best Coach Award at the National Football Awards last Friday, international Rizal Ghazali was named the Best Defender for a memorable year for the Red Eagles.
Let us be “Professional with a Human Touch and Values with Human Values, Honesty and Integrity” – for a better approach to professionalism in the game.
