Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) President and Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim held a press conference yesterday to clear up some issues regarding FAM.
In a surprise announcement, the new FAM President revealed that former Johor Darul Ta’zim’s head coach, Mario Gomez, may not be appointed as Malaysia’s national football head coach after all. The two parties seemed to be engulfed in a contractual dispute.
“There is a possibility Mario Gomez may not be Malaysia coach. He wants more money than what he was getting at JDT but it may not be possible,” he was quoted on Four Four Two.
“JDT was a club and the finances were different. Here (at FAM) we are looking at ways to tighten up the finances. Talks are still underway. Gomez hasn’t given a yes or a no yet,” he added.
However, Mario Gomez has hit back at the FAM President on that “explanation” and said he never did say such things.
“That is a lie. I didn’t ask for more money than what I earned at JDT”, quoted the Malay Mail Online.
Mario Gomez went on to explain that his only concern was the length of his contract. Gomez was offered a one-year deal but he refused to sign as he wanted a two-year deal with the national squad.
“We talked on the phone and he said he’d give me an answer,” Gomez added.