Latest news with #AidilSharinSahak
Malay Mail
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Singapore's Aidil Sharin named Malaysia's Coach of the Year after leading Kuching City to top-four finish
SINGAPORE — Aidil Sharin Sahak has been named Malaysia's Coach of the Year after leading Kuching City FC to a remarkable fourth-place finish in the 2024-25 Malaysia Super League (MSL), earning the team a spot in the Asean Club Championship next season. The Straits Times reported that the 47-year-old Singaporean manager edged out Selangor's Katsuhito Kinoshi and Johor Darul Takzim's (JDT) Hector Bidoglio to clinch the prestigious accolade at Malaysia's National Football Awards on April 23. Aidil also earned recognition from fans, who voted him as the coach of the Fans' XI. Aidil expressed his gratitude, saying, 'I feel very honoured to have won the Coach of the Year award. Honestly, I didn't really hope for it, but when I didn't expect anything, it came. To be in the top three is already a blessing for me,' he was quoted saying, Aidil took charge of Kuching City midway through the 2023 season when they were battling relegation. In just his first full season, he overhauled almost 90 per cent of the squad, bringing in players like Ghana-born forward Jordan Mintah and Nigerian centre-back James Okwuosa, transforming the team into a top-four contender. The Singaporean manager attributed the success to team unity and support from management, noting, 'The key thing is to blend them together as a team, and it's not easy in the first year. But with management and players' support, the team grew fast.' Kuching City chairman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman recently confirmed that preparations for the next season are underway, with key player recruitments in progress. The Straits Times also reported that Kuching's management is eager to retain Aidil long-term, with talks for a contract renewal already initiated. However, Aidil said he is keeping his options open for now. On the possibility of coaching Singapore's national team, Aidil said, 'It's always a dream to coach your national team. But if there's an opportunity elsewhere, like Thailand or Myanmar, I'm open to it because facing big challenges helps you grow.' The Malaysian season concludes on April 26 with JDT taking on Sri Pahang in the Malaysia Cup final at Bukit Jalil National Stadium.
Straits Times
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Singaporean Aidil Sharin wins Coach of the Year award at Malaysia's annual football gala
SINGAPORE – When Aidil Sharin Sahak took over Sarawakian side Kuching City midway through the 2023 season, they were mired in a relegation battle in the Malaysia Super League (MSL) but eventually avoided the drop despite finishing 13th out of 14. But in just his first full season in charge, the Singaporean helped them achieve a remarkable fourth placing out of 13 in the 2024-25 campaign, which secured a berth in next season's Asean Club Championship. The feat helped him win the Coach of the Year accolade at Malaysia's National Football Awards on April 23. The 47-year-old edged out two other nominees from more established sides – Venezuelan coach Hector Bidoglio of MSL champions Johor Darul Takzim and Selangor's Japanese tactician Katsuhito Kinoshi. When contacted, Aidil told The Straits Times that he feels very honoured to have won the award and it was something he did not expect. 'Honestly, I didn't really hope for it, because I didn't win the last three times when I was nominated,' he said. 'But this time, when I don't hope for anything, it comes. To be in the top three is already a blessing for me.' In an earlier stint in Malaysia, Aidil had won the 2019 FA Cup with Kedah and led the north Malaysian club to runners-up finishes in the 2020 and 2021 MSL. After leaving Kedah in 2022, he had a six-month sojourn with Indonesian top-tier side Persikabo 1973 in 2023, before joining Kuching in August that year. When he arrived in the Sarawakian capital, Aidil realised that the ageing team needed an overhaul. With the backing of the board, he changed nearly 90 per cent of the squad. The players he brought in included Gambia-born forward Jordan Mintah, who scored 14 goals in 20 MSL appearances this season, Ivorian striker Tchetche Kipre and Nigerian centre-back James Okwuosa. 'The key thing is to blend them together as a team,' said Aidil. 'And it's not easy when it's just the first year they are together. But the management and players' support helped the team to grow fast and to be in the top four this season.' He will be eyeing further improvement next season as he targets a continental spot. MSL champions qualify for the Asian Champions League Elite, while the runners-up will earn a place in the Asian Champions League Two (ACL2). He added: 'Our target from the management this season was actually top eight, but we managed top four. So definitely next season, we know everyone is going to expect more.' 'I was in the AFC (Cup) every year in Singapore, so I missed that,' added Aidil, who guided Home United to the Asean zonal title of the AFC Cup, the predecessor of ACL2, in 2018. Singaporean Aidil Sharin guided relegation battlers Kuching FC to a fourth-place finish in his first full season. PHOTO: ASTRO 'That is the main target, to be consistent so that we can play continental games.' He is expecting the new season to be more challenging, with the expected additions of new sides. 'It's going to be tougher because (Brunei) DPMM could potentially join the league and Melaka FC, who are just promoted, are a strong team. Malaysia Under-23 might join in as well and it will be more competitive,' said Aidil. Kuching have already started preparations for the 2025-26 season. In an interview with Malaysian media, club chairman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman said: 'Aidil will continue with us and he has identified key players for recruitment. We're in talks with three individuals, and there will be announcements soon.' While Aidil is mid-way through a two-year contract with Kuching, renewal talks are already underway, with the club management wanting him to be part of their long-term goals. He said: 'My president just spoke to me, they want me to stay for a long time in the club because they are making new facilities, which they want me to be part of. 'They want me to grow the club and at the moment, I think they are very happy with what I've been contributing, but I haven't discussed it yet. For me, I just want to be open first, and let's see what's the best future for me.' Asked about his hopes of coaching the Singapore national team in the future, Aidil said: 'I'm always ready because it's always a dream to coach your national team. 'If there's an opportunity besides Malaysia, like Thailand or Myanmar, of course I'm always open to it, because the more you go out and face big challenges, the more you grow.' Melvyn Teoh is a sports journalist at The Straits Times. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
New Straits Times
24-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
A Singaporean performs miracles at Kuching City
KUALA LUMPUR: Aidil Sharin Sahak has a gift - the ability to turn nothing into something special. This season, the 48-year-old Singaporean proved once again why he is one of Southeast Asia's most resourceful coaches, transforming lowly Kuching City into a Super League powerhouse. From finishing 13th last season to securing fourth place this year, Aidil has worked wonders at Sarawak, crafting a team from scratch and driving them to heights no one imagined, having only joined in August, 2023. His efforts were rewarded with the Best Coach award at the National Football Awards in Bukit Jalil yesterday, a fitting recognition for a man whose career has been defined by defying odds. "I didn't expect this. This is my fourth time being nominated, and maybe number four is my lucky number. It's all because of the hard work of the management and the team. This trophy is for them," he said. The Cats were written off at the start of the season. It was a club with modest means, a new-look squad, 90 per cent of whom were new signings, and no big stars to boast. Yet, where others saw limitations, Aidil saw potential. "We had a very good season, but we can still improve more as a team," he said. It's Aidil's unique ability to blend experience with raw talent that has set him apart. He brought in seasoned campaigners, integrated several players from Johor Darul Ta'zim, and combined them with imports from Nigeria and Ghana. What emerged wasn't just a team, it was a collective force that played with purpose and belief. "It's not easy. When you build a team, you have players from the Peninsula, Sarawak, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Ghana… but I did my best to bring them together. I'm delighted with these players. They are disciplined, professional, and they understand how we want to grow," he said. The magic wasn't instant. The first month was tough and points were hard to come by. But Aidil's strength lies in the long game. "In the first month, we didn't collect many points, but we bonded more as a team. That was key," he said. By mid-season, Kuching City no longer looked like survivors, but contenders. This isn't the first time Aidil has pulled off the improbable. His coaching journey, which began in Singapore with Home United, saw him lead the club to an AFC Cup zonal final in 2017 and a runners-up finish in the Singapore Premier League in 2018. At Kedah, he won the 2019 FA Cup and became the first Singaporean coach to lead a foreign team in the AFC Champions League. But what he has done at Kuching City, with far less, might be his most remarkable feat yet. "I will stay at Kuching City next season. I want to make this club even better," he said.
