KUALA LUMPUR – Former Kedah FC Under-23 head coach Rosle Md Derus has been appointed as Penang FC’s new technical director ahead of the 2025/2026 Malaysia League season.
The 47-year-old, who hails from Perlis and was part of Malaysia’s squad at the 1997 FIFA Youth World Cup, replaces outgoing technical director Merzagua Abderrazak on a two-year contract.
The Black Panthers confirmed Merzagua’s departure via social media, thanking the Moroccan for his contributions last season.
Speaking to Scoop, club general manager Jeffrey Chew Gim Eam said Rosle was the ideal choice for the role, citing his strong track record in developing young talent over the past decade.
Among the players Rosle has mentored—many of whom have since gone on to represent the national team—are K. Reuben, Hadin Azman, Safwan Mazlan and T. Saravanan.
“Rosle is the perfect candidate for the club. He’s one of the most knowledgeable figures in the local football scene,” Jeffrey said.
“We are pleased to bring him on board and look forward to seeing him continue his work in developing young talent, just as he did in states like Kedah.
“Although we still regard Merzagua highly and believe he could have continued in this role, financial limitations forced us to make a difficult decision. We remain thankful for his service to the club.”
This marks the third time the club has parted ways with Merzagua, who first played for Penang in the 1990s and later returned as head coach between 2012 and 2013.
Scoop previously reported that Merzagua’s contract was not renewed in December last year due to various factors, including financial constraints.
Jeffrey added that Rosle was appointed about a month ago, and an official announcement would be made soon on the club’s social media platforms.
He also revealed that further departures are expected at Penang FC, including several coaches and players, as part of a broader financial restructuring.
“These measures are necessary to ensure our long-term sustainability in the M-League. Some coaches and players have already been informed of their status, and more updates will follow in the coming days,” he said.
Penang’s current head coach, Wan Rohaimi, is expected to stay on for the upcoming season.
For the record, Penang finished 10th in the Super League this season, collecting 26 points from 13 clubs. — May 3, 2025
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