Football
Nicolas Anil 8y

Former Selangor hero David Mitchell keen on role after Zainal exit

Malaysia Cup winner David Mitchell believes he could forge a dream combination with former teammate Mehmet Durakovic and turn Selangor into a formidable force once again.

The two Australians played side-by-side when Selangor won the 1995 edition, with Mitchell scoring the first ever Golden Goal in a Malaysia Cup final to inspire the Red Giants to a 1-0 triumph over Pahang.

With Zainal Abidin Hassan sacked on Sunday after four consecutive losses, and a replacement yet to be found, the former Chelsea striker sees himself in a technical director role, having just completed his AFC Pro Licence.

"If they approached me, I would be more than happy to talk to them," Mitchell told ESPN FC. "It would be great if they could tempt 'Mem' back into the head coaching position. If not, then I could fill in until end of the season, then move to Technical Director and work alongside him. That would be the dream team. 

"Selangor are a side who could thrive with a solid coaching structure, and my expertise would be of use in that area."

Durakovic, who led Selangor to a second place finish in the MSL and won a record 33rd Malaysia Cup last season, was controversially ousted to make way for Zainal in January.

The defending champions also announced a management shakeup on Monday, with general-secretary Rosman Ibrahim and treasurer S. Sivasundaram quitting after incensed fans had vigorously called for their exits.

Kuala Lumpur-based Mitchell was head coach of Kedah in 2015 and also serves as Asian ambassador for his former Dutch club, Feyenoord. He says what while changes within Selangor are necessary, a complete overhaul is not required.

"You have to look at the current system and implement certain things. There is no point getting rid of everything they've got, if it does nothing to benefit the club.

"Selangor have a huge fan base and could become one of the best sides in Asia, if they put their mind to it," said the the 54-year-old, who is also a coaching consultant and media pundit in Malaysia.

Assistant K. Gunalan has been appointed interim boss to handle Tuesday's Malaysia Cup game against Pahang. Three days later, the Red Giants will travel to face Kelantan in the same competition.

Mitchell coached Perth Glory in Australia's A-League between 2007-10 and was the club's technical director in 2011. He played 44 times for Australia, scoring 13 goals and appearing in the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.

Durakovic and Mitchell both appeared in the playoff against Diego Maradona's Argentina for the 1994 World Cup, with the South Americans winning 2-1 on aggregate.

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