He said if the Football Association of Malaysia allowed him to take charge of Harimau Malaya, he would provide the best facilities and coaches. “I can’t promise you instant success but I can assure you of improvements.”

Tunku Ismail, who is Tunku Mahkota of Johor, made his comments on Instagram after the national team’s World Cup dreams were dashed when they failed to make it to the next round of the qualifying stages.

He said many players no longer see playing for the national team as their duty but as a summer holiday. He also urged FAM not to “simply naturalise players”, and ensure that the naturalised players fit the team’s style of play.

Tunku Ismail said JDT players played each game for their club as if they had never won anything and attributed the team’s success to his leadership and management of club affairs.