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Paul McNamara

Kim Pan-gon has quit as head coach of Malaysia, sparking speculation the South Korean could be poised for a third spell in charge of Hong Kong.
The local football association have been hunting for a new boss since May, when Jorn Andersen resigned after 2½-years in charge to take over at Yunnan Yukun of China League One.
Former Inter Milan and Middlesbrough defender Gianluca Festa revealed he had submitted an application before the July 1 deadline.
Andersen, meanwhile, has championed the case of former deputy Wolfgang Luisser, who impressed during two matches as temporary head coach last month.

Kim said he opted to leave to leave the Malaysia job, which he held since January 2022, because of “personal commitments”, and his deep ties with Hong Kong have, nevertheless, raised the possibility of a return to manage the city’s representative team.
The highlight of the 55-year-old’s most recent Hong Kong tenure, between May 2013 and December 2017, was a pair of 0-0 World Cup qualifying draws with China in 2015.
He won 16 and lost 18 of 43 matches in charge, but lost a degree of supporter goodwill following a poor 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign.
Kim left to become technical director and vice-president of the Korea Football Association.
A former player coach of local Premier League club Rangers, Kim originally managed Hong Kong for seven months from August 2009, when he combined the role with managing South China.
He left the city in December 2010, citing health issues. Kim would later reveal: “I was under such enormous pressure that my kidney malfunctioned. I was forced to abandon both jobs as my doctor told me the disease could affect my liver and develop into cancer.”
Kim returned to Hong Kong in December 2011, initially to lead the city’s academy structure, but found himself in the top job, once more, following Ernie Merrick resignation. He was appointed permanently after seven matches in interim charge.
Kim, who led the city’s under-23 team to the last-16 of the 2014 Asian Games, has also been linked with the manager’s job at Ulsan Hyundai, where he began his playing career.
The K League champions have a vacancy after Hong Myung-bo left to take the South Korea national team post vacated by Jurgen Klinsmann this year.

Kim, whose Malaysia contract was set to expire in December 2025, led the nation to this year’s Asian Cup, the first time they had earned qualification since 1980.
Malaysia claimed only one point from three matches, but that came from a 3-3 draw with South Korea, when Kim’s team equalised in the 15th minute of stoppage time.
Hong Kong next play in September, when they contest a tri-nation friendly tournament with hosts Fiji and the Solomon Islands.
In October, they will play a first match in Europe, against Liechtenstein, before returning home to face Cambodia. The next month, Hong Kong are set for a home friendly with Philippines, and an away date against still-to-be-confirmed opposition.
Their next competitive action will come in qualifiers for the 2025 EAFF Football Championship towards the end of this year.


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AFC Champions League 2: Hong Kong clubs can’t top Asia’s best, says coach after new loss

AFC Champions League Two: Eastern to rest players v Sydney with Senior Shield semi looming

Hong Kong ace praises Manchester United’s Harry Maguire after suffering heavy criticism

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Malaysia football boss Kim quits ‘for personal reasons’, sparks Hong Kong speculation

Kim Pan-gon was in charge of Hong Kong for more than four years until December 2017. Photo: SCMP Archive

Kim Pan-gon’s (right) second Hong Kong reign faltered after a poor Asian Cup qualifying campaign. Photo: HKFA

Kim and his Hong Kong players salute supporters after a 0-0 draw with China in 2015. Photo: Handout

Football safety fears as Hong Kong women’s team play during lightning, thunderstorm signal

Hong Kong finished their friendly with Indonesia despite extreme weather at Hong Kong Football Club. Photo: Edmond So

The conditions worsened as the match wore on at Hong Kong Football Club. Photo: Edmond So

The women’s international was not called off despite the elements making it hazardous. Photo: Edmond So

Crisis in Hong Kong football: switching off the lights in clubs’ financial black hole

SCMP Graphics

Few are present at Aberdeen Sports Ground to see Mahama Awal’s acrobatics for Southern. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Kitchee players celebrate winning the Senior Shield at Mong Kok Stadium in February. Photo: Dickson Lee

The Football Training Centre in Tseung Kwan O is used by the public as well as by professionals. Photo: Roy Issa

A man jogs at Hammer Hill Road Sports Ground, where top-flight clubs also play. Photo: Elson Li

Joining the Chinese Super League would be too big a jump for most Hong Kong clubs. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

Football

Hong Kong hunting new head coach after resignation of Jorn Andersen seven weeks ago, and Kim Pan-gon oversaw pair of China draws


Hong Kong hunting new head coach after resignation of Jorn Andersen seven weeks ago, and Kim Pan-gon oversaw pair of China draws.


Liechtenstein