The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) announced on Monday that Tan Cheng Hoe stepped down from his role as head coach of the national team.
His departure came on the back of the Harimau Malaya's abysmal performance at the 2020 AFF Suzuki Cup, where they suffered an early group stage exit with key losses to Vietnam and Indonesia.
"Cheng Hoe had a discussion with the FAM management and stated his wish [to leave] following his side's failure to reach the 2020 AFF Suzuki Cup semi-finals in Singapore.
"After an open discussion with all parties, the FAM management in the end agreed to respect his decision and allow Cheng Hoe to leave by mutual consent," read an official statement.
Siaran Media: Tan Cheng Hoe Lepas Jawatan Ketua Jurulatih Kebangsaan
— FA Malaysia (@FAM_Malaysia) January 3, 2022
FAM hari ini ingin memaklumkan bahawa ketua jurulatih kebangsaan, Tan Cheng Hoe telah membuat keputusan untuk melepaskan jawatannya.
Baca selanjutnya di https://t.co/O9ospzsr0h#FAM #HarimauMalaya pic.twitter.com/HBAe1SiCfD
The former Kedah tactician, previously served the national team in various roles between 2005 and 2011, returned to the FAM set-up in 2017 as Nelo Vingada's assistant head coach.
He was promoted as head coach a year later and led Malaysia to the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup final, where they lost 3-2 to Vietnam.
Tan also led the national team to a strong 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification start, including beating Indonesia 3-2 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, before COVID-19 halted the team's momentum.
