K. Rajagopal

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. Under his guidance, Harimau Muda A became the Premier League champion in 2009. Since July 2009, he has been the head coach for both the Harimau Muda and Malaysia senior teams, taking over from B. Sathianathan. His first game was a 3–0 win against Singapore and a 5–0 win against Zimbabwe. Rajagopal is best known for guiding Malaysia's under-23 side to its first gold medal in 20 years at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games in Laos, where the team defeated Vietnam 1–0 in the final on 17 December after earlier knocking out 8-time defending champions, Thailand in the group stage. 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…

Personal Honours

Honour of Malaysia Malaysia Commander of the Order of Meritorious Service (PJN) - Datuk (2011) 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