K. Rajagopal

Datuk Rajagopal s/o Krishnasamy (Tamil: கி.ராஜகோபால்; born 10 July 1956) is a Malaysian football pundit, manager and former player. He led the Malaysia national team to the 2009 SEA Games gold medal and 2010 AFF Championship.

Managerial statistics

Managerial career

Beginnings as coach Rajagopal started his coaching career in 1990 with PKNS He also had stints as a club coach with Selangor FA and Kelantan FA.

Malaysia He was appointed coach for the young Malaysia U20 team from 2004 until 2006, and the Malaysia under-19 (known as Harimau Muda A) from 2007 to 2009. After the victory, Rajagopal earned the nickname "King Gopal". In July 2009, Rajagopal coached Malaysia in two games against English champions Manchester United, lost in both matches 0–1 and 2–3.

Rajagopal also led the national football team to win the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, the first time Malaysia won the championship since its inception in 1996. His philosophy of changing the tactical approach from a defensive to an offensive playing style has been rewarded in this victory. His young team has shown a high standard of football possession, good defensive structure, and clinical finish en route to clinch the title. His contract was not renewed at the end of 2013. Despite some rumours citing him to be appointed as the head coach for the Vietnam national team, it does not come to fruition.

Sarawak FA In a press conference in September 2015, it was announced that Rajagopal had been appointed as head coach of Sarawak FA, beginning in December 2015. His contract was terminated the following year, on 7 May 2016, after the team's poor performance, which finished at the bottom of the league.

Return to PKNS Rajagopal was announced as the new head coach of PKNS on 22 November 2017.

Brunei On 1 December 2020, Rajagobal was announced by the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam to be the head coach for the Brunei national team on a two-year contract. In January 2022, he left his post without ever taking charge of a single international match for Brunei due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awards and recognition Personal Honours Honour of Malaysia

On 4 June 2011, K. Rajagopal was awarded the Panglima Jasa Negara (PJN), which carries the title Datuk, in conjunction with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's birthday in that year. He was among 67 recipients of the awards from His Majesty Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at Balairong Seri, Istana Negara. ASEAN All-Stars: 2014 As Coach

Honours as manager Malaysia AFF Championship: 2010 SEA Games Gold medals: 2009