Latest news with #SouthernTigers
New Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
JDT part ways with coach Bidoglio after stellar season
KUALA LUMPUR: Super League champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) have announced the departure of their Venezuelan coach Hector Bidoglio. The Southern Tigers issued a statement today, thanking the 57-year-old for his unwavering commitment and service to the club. "Hector joined JDT as head coach midway through the 2022 season before assuming a technical director role in 2023, and later returned as head coach in the 2024/2025 season, where JDT secured a quadruple," the statement read. "Hector won two Malaysia Super League titles, two FA Cups, two Malaysia Cups and a Charity Cup during his Southern Tigers tenure, unbeaten in all domestic competitions." Bidoglio, who was on his second stint with JDT, guided them to the Super League, FA Cup and Malaysia Cup titles last season. His first stint was a brief spell as JDT head coach from July-November 2022, guiding the Southern Tigers to the Super League, Malaysia Cup and FA Cup titles. He also repeated the treble feat last season, but could only guide the team to the round of 16 in the AFC Champions League Elite. JDT are expected to announce a new head coach soon and Spaniard Xisco Munoz has been linked to the hot seat. It was previously reported that the former Watford boss is finalising terms with the Super League giants, who are eyeing a new era of domestic dominance and greater success in the Asian Champions League Elite. Munoz, 44, guided Watford to Premier League promotion in the 2020–21 season. He has also managed in Georgia, Cyprus, Slovakia and Spain.
The Star
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Coach Bidoglio leaves JDT after three years
PETALING JAYA: Super League champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) have announced the departure of Venezuelan coach Hector Bidoglio. The Southern Tigers issued a statement on Friday (May 23) thanking the 57-year-old for his unwavering commitment and service to the club. "Hector joined JDT as head coach midway through the 2022 season before assuming a technical director role in 2023, and later returned as head coach in the 2024/2025 season, where JDT secured a quadruple," the statement read. "Hector won two Malaysia Super League titles, two FA Cups, two Malaysia Cups and a Charity Cup during his Southern Tigers tenure, unbeaten in all domestic competitions." JDT will be announcing a new head coach soon as part of the club's efforts to elevate standards during the off-season.
New Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
TMJ hits back at critics of national team's foreign expertise
KUALA LUMPUR: "When you hang around dumb people, you become dumb." That blunt social media post by Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sultan Ibrahim today is seen by many as a response to the "backwards mindset" plaguing Malaysian football. The Crown Prince of Johor has sent a stinging response to critics of the national team's use of foreign talent and expertise. "Everyone talks like we're World Cup champions. "Want change, but the mindset is still stuck in the stone age. Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam have gone far. They've all upgraded football facilities and adopted foreign expertise. "We're just all talk," he posted on X in reply to a comment by former national footballer Hasnizam Uzir. Tunku Mahkota Ismail issued a "challenge" in an earlier Instagram story showing a graphic of all Super League winners, dominated by the Southern Tigers since 2014. "There's still time to dissolve the League. "Boycott together. Show the world the mentality of Malaysian football," he posted on Instagram. However, Tunku Mahkota Ismail's most widely shared post was a photo of himself with international sports icons Luis Garcia, Sonny Bill Williams and Tim Cahill, captioned with a message about self-improvement, mindset, and surrounding oneself with winners. "When you live with negative people, you become negative. So don't follow stupid trends. "Raise your standards, and surround yourself with individuals that level you up in health, fitness, mindset, business, faith, and values. Life's short. Get rid of toxic things or people and you will see how your life changes. "Level up, get rid of liability, and add assets," he captioned the post. Tunku Mahkota Ismail also highlighted the achievements of the legends he was photographed with. "Williams, former New Zealand All Black. Two-time Rugby World Cup champion and boxing champion. Cahill, former Socceroo, played in three World Cups, and former Everton top striker in the English Premier League. Garcia, former Liverpool and Barcelona player. Played in England and Spain, European Champions League winner with Liverpool. "These individuals started from nothing and achieved great things in life," he captioned the post. His message appeared to be in response to criticism by football legend Datuk Santokh Singh. Santokh, a pillar of the 1980 Olympic squad, said at a sports event in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday that Malaysia's football identity is being eroded by foreign influence. He called the FA of Malaysia the "FA of Mat Salleh (foreigners)" while claiming there is a marginalisation of local coaches and players. While Tunku Mahkota Ismail did not mention names directly, the timing and content of his statements are widely viewed as a firm rebuttal to that argument; one that defends the value of foreign expertise, and that greatness comes through mindset and work ethic. Williams reposted Tunku Mahkota Ismail's message on his Instagram, echoing the Crown Prince of Johor's sentiments. "You are your environment! Didn't know what to expect when I came to Malaysia, but I've found the country within a country, Johor. More importantly, a leader that sees the growth of his state as his purpose and responsibility."
New Straits Times
03-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Trophy kings JDT plot big shake-up despite domestic dominance
KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) are preparing for a major squad overhaul ahead of the new season, despite completing a clean sweep of four domestic trophies for the third consecutive year. Since their rebranding in 2013, the Southern Tigers have clinched 30 titles — 29 domestic and the 2015 AFC Cup. However, with their Asian Champions League (ACL) Elite campaign ending in the last 16, change is in the air at the club. A total of 10 players and head coach Hector Bidoglio are rumoured to be on their way out, although no official announcements have been made. The players reportedly set to leave are former Real Madrid star Jese Rodriguez, Alvaro Gonzalez, Jonathan Viera, Jordi Amat, Shane Lowry, Jorge Obregon, Anselmo Moraes, Murilo Henrique, Jalil Elias, and Enzo Lombardo. Club owner Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sultan Ibrahim revealed that the team's future direction will centre around youth and long-term planning. "Our plan moving forward is to bring in younger players," said Tunku Mahkota Ismail at an event in March. "The recent signings were due to injuries to existing players, and some were brought in specifically for the ACL. We wanted to see how far the team could go." He added that the squad's age profile would be adjusted to enhance competitiveness. "The new way for next year is to focus on players aged 25 to 27 and younger. The maximum age would be 31 or 32, but only if the player is outstanding," he said. He acknowledged Bidoglio's contributions but hinted at a possible change in the dugout. "Bidoglio is a good coach and very 'old school', but he's best suited to maintaining harmony in the dressing room." The Argentine coach spoke after the Malaysia Cup final last week, reflecting on the team's achievements and confirming that changes are on the horizon. "We have built something special at JDT and must continue to improve," said Bidoglio. "Changes are part of this evolution. We are always looking for new talent to strengthen the team. "The future is about adaptability, ensuring we are competitive, and continuing to raise the bar."
New Straits Times
27-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
King praises loyal JDT supporters after Malaysia Cup win
KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, today congratulated Johor Darul Ta'zim FC (JDT) on winning the 2024/2025 Malaysia Cup title. In a post on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar's official Facebook page, His Majesty also expressed appreciation to JDT's loyal fans for their unwavering support of the Southern Tigers. "No matter where JDT plays, whether at home or abroad, their supporters are always there. "They have been a source of inspiration and strength, fuelling the team's fighting spirit and motivating them to achieve continued success," His Majesty said. Sultan Ibrahim also congratulated his son, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, the owner of JDT, for the club's achievements. "JDT has recorded outstanding successes both locally and internationally, elevating Johor's name on the global stage," he said. JDT sealed their historic triple treble after defeating Sri Pahang FC 2-1 in the Malaysia Cup final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last night. – BERNAMA
