# Malacca United expected to make major changes for Super League campaign
# Mat Zan disappointed with the manner he was treated
By Rizal Abdullah
MALACCA UNITED celebrated on Saturday fand more than 30,000 football fans packed the Hang Jebat Stadium, including head coach Mat Zan Mat Aris’ family to watch to watch the Premier League champions final match at home this season.
It was also where Malacca were presented the trophy as Premier League champions at the end of the match against Sime Darby which ended in a 1-1 draw. But it did not matter if they failed to win the match.
Mat Zan, who brought down his family from Serdang for his last match for Malacca United after it was made known that the champions had dumped their winning coach for a new one – to be a foreigner.
It was a cruel way to part ways with someone who had brought glory to Malacca United and took the state out of the doldrums which ended a 33- year wait for the team win the Premier League and earn promotion to the elite Super League next season.
The smile on his face when he lifted the trophy amidst the celebration. But beneath the smile Mat Zan’s heart was bleeding and weeping for the manner in which he is dumped.
He did not join the celebrations on Sunday when the trophy was paraded in the streets of Malacca before heading to Dataran MBMB in Ayer Keroh.
Mat Zan won his first title for Malacca United by winning the FAM League last year and the Premier League title this year. Two successes which transformed Malacca United football and bringing back the football crowds.
A disappointed Mat Zan said: “I was not treated fairly.”
Malacca United management will meet the players and coaches on Monday but Mat Zan made it clear that he will stay away from the meeting.
“All discussions about next year’s team management and coaches or new players were done behind closed doors. So I will not be there and there is no reasons why for me to be there since they are hiring a new coach.
“I have been told that he is a foreigner.” added Mat Zan,
The former international who won the FA Cup with Kuala Lumpur (1999) and the Malaysia Cup with Terengganu (2001). As a player Mat Zan is a three-time Malaysia Cup champion with Kuala Lumpur.
Nothing is known if other coaches have also been booted out from Malacca United’s Super League campaign.
