GEORGE TOWN: Penang FC have rested head coach Wan Rohaimi Wan Ismail with immediate effect following a disappointing start to their Super League campaign, with technical director Victor Andrag taking over the coaching duties.

Penang youth and sports chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said the decision was not made solely in reaction to the team's 2-1 defeat to Melaka FC on Sunday, but followed repeated concerns over its performance.

Gooi, who is Penang FC board chairman, said the board had previously highlighted several weaknesses to the team's management and communicated them to Wan Rohaimi in an effort to improve the team's performance.

“However, even after yesterday's match, we continued to see weaknesses that had yet to be addressed.

“The board therefore decided to rest Coach Wan Rohaimi,” he told reporters at the state assembly on Monday (Nov 2).

Gooi said the decision was part of the board's technical planning, as the team's results had fallen well short of the expectations and key performance indicators (KPIs) set at the start of the season.

“Based on the results achieved so far, we feel the team is quite far from our targets.

“That is why we had little choice but to rest the coach for the time being,” he said.

Victor, the club's technical director, will take over as head coach to prepare the team for its next Super League match against Kuala Lumpur City FC on Nov 22.

Gooi said only the head coach had been affected for now, although the board would review the other departments as well.

He said the performance concerns had been communicated to Wan Rohaimi previously, but the board had yet to see positive developments from the team.

Gooi also revealed that Wan Rohaimi's contract was due to expire in December and had been subject to the team's results and performance.

He said the appointment of a permanent head coach would be discussed at a board meeting scheduled to take place after the state assembly sitting.

“I want to stress that the club is everything. The club is much bigger than any individual.

“We will take all necessary steps to ensure its performance meets the targets set and to repay the support given by the Harimau Kumbang (The Black Panthers) fans,” he said.