The Cambodian Football Federation will consider renewing the contract of national team coach Joachim Fickert if the team performs well in two major tournaments later this year, President Khek Ravy said Monday.
“We will see his performance after the two tournaments this year. If he can help the team to win over two or three countries to get into the semi-finals then we will consider the renewal of his contract,” Khek Ravy said, contradicting remarks last week saying the federation would definitely not renew Fickert’s contract.
Cambodia plays in the Tiger Cup in September and in the Asian Games in October. Fickert’s contract ends in December.
Cambodian Football Federation general director Keo Sareth said last week Fickert’s contract would not be renewed because the “overall results were not what we expected.” On Monday, however, Khek Ravy had only kind things to say about the coach.
“He even uses his own money to help the players,” Khek Ravy said.
In the 2000 Tiger Cup in Thailand, Cambodia lost three games and won only one—beating Laos 3-0.
Fickert said he has confidence he can help the Cambodian players get into the semi-final in the Tiger Cup this year, even though Cambodia lacks funding for practice grounds or money to support the players. But there was reason for some optimism, he said.
“All the previous players who quit before have come back,” he said, mentioning top players like Hok Sochetra, who left the team because of his job but later returned to the field.
Saying Fickert has made great progress in strengthening the football fields in Cambodia, Khek Ravy said he is prepared to ask for a work medal for Fickert.
Fickert has also helped train not only the Cambodian football players but also Cambodian coaches, Khek Ravy said.
“Since 1995, Mr Joachim Fickert has built the capacity of many Cambodian coaches. Some were recommended by him for further training in Germany,” Khek Ravy said. “The Federation is most thankful for his support.”
