Singaporean Aidil Sharin wins Coach of the Year award at Malaysia’s football gala

SINGAPORE – When Aidil Sharin Sahak took over Sarawakian side Kuching City midway through the 2023 season, they were mired in a relegation battle in the Malaysia Super League (MSL).

They eventually avoided the drop, despite finishing 13th out of 14.

But, in just his first full season in charge, the Singaporean helped them achieve a remarkable fourth out of 13 in the 2024-25 campaign, which secured a berth in next season’s Asean Club Championship.

The feat helped him win the Coach of the Year accolade at Malaysia’s National Football Awards on April 23.

The 47-year-old edged out two other nominees from more established sides – Selangor’s Japanese tactician Katsuhito Kinoshi and Venezuelan coach Hector Bidoglio of MSL champions Johor Darul Takzim (JDT).

But JDT expectedly dominated the awards, with Arif Aiman Hanapi named Most Valuable Player for a record fourth season in a row.

 Aidil also won another award: He was picked by fans as coach of the Fans’ XI.

When contacted, Aidil told The Straits Times that he feels very honoured to have won the Coach of the Year award and it was something he did not expect.

“Honestly, I didn’t really hope for it, because I didn’t win the last three times when I was nominated,” he said.

“But this time, when I don’t hope for anything, it comes. To be in the top three is already a blessing for me.”

In an earlier stint in Malaysia, Aidil won the 2019 FA Cup with Kedah and led the north Malaysian club to runner-up finishes in the MSL in 2020 and 2021.

After leaving Kedah in 2022, he had a six-month sojourn with Indonesian top-tier side Persikabo 1973 in 2023, before joining Kuching in August that year.

When he arrived in the Sarawakian capital, Aidil realised that the ageing team needed an overhaul. With the backing of the board, he changed nearly 90 per cent of the squad.

The players he brought in included Ghana-born forward Jordan Mintah, who scored 14 goals in 20 MSL appearances this season, Ivorian striker Tchetche Kipre and Nigerian centre-back James Okwuosa.

“The key thing is to blend them together as a team,” said Aidil, who also led his side to the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals.

“And it’s not easy when it’s just the first year they are together. But the management and players’ support helped the team to grow fast and to be in the top four this season.”

He will be eyeing further improvement next season as he targets a continental spot.

MSL champions qualify for the Asian Champions League Elite, while the runners-up will earn a place in the Asian Champions League Two (ACL2).

He added: “Our target from the management this season was actually top eight, but we managed top four. So definitely next season, we know everyone is going to expect more.”

“I was in the AFC (Cup) every year in Singapore, so I missed that,” added Aidil, who guided Home United to the Asean zonal title of the AFC Cup, the predecessor of ACL2, in 2018.

“That is the main target, to be consistent so that we can play continental games.”

He is expecting the new season to be more challenging, with the expected addition of new sides.

“It’s going to be tougher because (Brunei) DPMM could potentially join the league and Melaka FC, who are just promoted, are a strong team,” he said.

“The Malaysia Under-23 (team) might join in as well and it will be more competitive.”

Kuching have already started preparations for the 2025-26 season.

In an interview with Malaysian media in early April, club chairman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman said: “Aidil will continue with us and he has identified key players for recruitment. We’re in talks with three individuals and there will be announcements soon.” 

While Aidil is midway through a two-year contract with Kuching, renewal talks are already under way, with the club management wanting him to be part of their long-term plans.

He said: “The chairman just spoke to me. They want me to stay for a long time because they are building new facilities and they want me to be involved with their plans.

“They want me to grow the club and at the moment, I think they are very happy with what I’ve been contributing, but I haven’t discussed it yet. I just want to leave my options open first, and let’s see what’s the best for me.”

Asked about his hopes of coaching the Singapore national team in the future, Aidil said: “I’m always ready because it’s always a dream to coach your national team.

“If there’s an opportunity besides Malaysia, like Thailand or Myanmar, of course I’m always open to it, because the more you go out and face big challenges, the more you grow.”

The Malaysian season concludes on April 26, with JDT taking on Fandi Ahmad’s Sri Pahang in the Malaysia Cup final at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.