KUALA LUMPUR – The deadly combination of B. Sathianathan and E. Elavarasan is expected to make Sarawak United a force to be reckoned with in the next season of M-League.
Sathia, who will assume the role of Technical Director for the club next month, said the target for the Golden Hornbill next season is to be promoted to the Super League in 2022.
“I am confident that my chemistry with Elavarasan will work and we will come up with the winning formula for the club. I am here to assist Elavarasan with whatever he needs. Our target is to win the promotion to the Super League in 2022 and I believe that with Elavarasan as head coach, the target is realistic,” Sathia told The Vibes when contacted.
Although Sathia and Elavarasan have been good friends for the past 40 years, this will be their first time working together, causing many in the football fraternity to question the prospect of their co-existence in the same club.
“Everybody will have something to say but Elavarasan and me are very clear with our respective roles in the club. Elavarasan will have the final say when it comes to team matters and he will have my full support.
“My job here is to not only help the 1st team qualify for the Super League but also to set up the coaches in respective teams, develop the coaching philosophy of the team from juniors right up to the President Cup, to search and identify talents in the stat and to develop programmes for children.
Sathia will also form the division coaching system for Sarawak and work on football development in schools and districts with the respective parties.
“I know what the exact role of a Technical Director is because I have attended courses. Sadly, some people are not familiar with the role.”
Meanwhile, when The Vibes asked if the current squad has the qualities and capabilities to steer Sarawak United into the Super League in 2022, Sathia said that although they have the core team in place, there will be a few additions before the start of the season.
“We will need to make a few more quality signings as we want to compete with the Super League teams in the FA Cup and The Malaysia Cup next year. We don’t expect success overnight, but we will get there,” he said.
As he had previously done with Kelantan, Armed Forces and Felda United, Sathia is known for turning things around; these teams became fearsome sides when we were at the helm.
Next season is going to be an interesting period for Sarawak United after years of dwindling in the doldrums. – The Vibes, December 18, 2020
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