SUBADRON SUGGESTS SUPER LEAGUE TEAMS GENERATE PROFITS THROUGH PLAYER TRANSFERS

By Ahmad Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif

KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 (Bernama) -- Former Kuala Lumpur footballer Datuk Subadron Abdul Aziz has urged all Super League team managements to be more proactive in player transfers as a strategy to generate profits.

He said in football management, the best strategy to ensure a club's sustainability is to sell a few talented players to make a profit before bringing in new players as replacements.

bootstrap slideshow

He added that even if a team shows inconsistency in the league, there will still be some quality players who can be put up for sale.

"If a team is not performing well, it doesn't necessarily mean all the players are bad. There are likely two or three good players. From a management perspective, the reality of football is that selling two or three quality players can benefit the team.

"If we don't sell players and only rely on sponsorships while overspending and accumulating debts, it indicates a lack of management competence," said the owner of Subadron Football Academy to Bernama.

Subadron, a key player in Kuala Lumpur's Malaysia Cup triumph for three consecutive years from 1987 to 1989, also advised teams to avoid overspending.

"No matter how much money we have, we should utilise it wisely and make the most of the existing players. If one foreign player is sufficient, then use only one. If two are needed, then use two. If not, rely on local players -- what's wrong with that?" he said.

Subadron acknowledged Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) as the top team in Malaysia for their on-field performance, professional management and well-structured player development system.

He admitted that if he were still a player, JDT would be his preferred choice, as the Southern Tigers offer the best environment for player growth, including world-class facilities, high-quality coaching and financial stability.

"Tunku Mahkota Ismail (JDT owner) takes very good care of his players, and JDT players also compete healthily for a spot in the starting eleven. If I were still young, I would join JDT," he said.

Several teams in the Super League have faced severe financial crises, resulting in delays in paying player and staff salaries, which negatively impacted their on-field performance and the league's overall competitiveness.

Even more concerning, reports have surfaced that some financially troubled teams are willing to withdraw from next season's Super League and opt to compete in lower leagues to resolve past debts.

However, the Malaysian Football League announced that the status of teams competing in next season's Super League will be confirmed after April 30.

-- BERNAMA