Malaysia eye Peter Withe as new coach

Malaysia are keen to appoint former England international Peter Withe as their new coach after the team crashed out of the AFF Suzuki Cup in the group stages, according to a report.

Withe has plenty of experience in Asia, having previously coached Thailand and Indonesia.

The New Straits Times quoted a Football Association of Malaysia offical as saying that the former Aston Villa striker would fly to Kuala Lumpur next week for talks.

“Peter is an excellent coach, but he is expensive and FAM will need to break its bank to have him in Malaysia but it is possible,” said the official.

The comments come a day after Malaysia's team manager, Soh Chin Aun, backed current coach B. Sathianathan to keep his job despite their disappointing Suzuki Cup performance.

According to the newspaper, Withe, who lives in Perth, Australia, would cost around 20,000 US dollars a month, plus other benefits.

If the 56-year-old is appointed he would be the second Englishman in charge of a Southeast Asian national team, joining former Sunderland manager Peter Reid, who coaches Thailand.