Abu Dhabi: Dollah Salleh said on Friday he had decided to quit as Malaysia manager as soon as the 10-0 drubbing away to the UAE on Thursday had finished.
Salleh, who has been in the role for only 15 months, told reporters at Kuala Lumpur Airport that he took full responsibility for the rout, which was Malaysia’s heaviest loss in their history.
An announcement over who will lead the team in Tuesday’s home clash with Saudi Arabia was due to be made on Saturday.
“I have communicated my decision to FAM [the Football Association of Malaysia] and it has been accepted,” Salleh, 51, said. “My decision is final and effective immediately. I will not be taking charge of the match against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.”
He added: “My mind was made up as soon as the match was over. As coach, I have to take responsibility for what has happened. No coach can accept this result. But in the end, I am the one who is responsible.”
Malaysia are bottom of their 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifying pool, Asian zone Group A, with just one point from three matches.
Salleh’s decision – which comes after Malaysia failed to win any of their six matches in 2015 – is therefore perfectly understandable.
The former striker, who led his side to the final of the 2014 Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup against Thailand, said: “No coach wants something like this to happen. I would rather have gone out on a high note but this responsibility falls on me.”
