It is up to national coaching director Rexy Mainaky to fill the void in the doubles lineup following the departure of several head coaches over the last five months.
BA of Malaysia (BAM) president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria confirmed there are vacancies in the doubles department but declined to comment further as he wants Rexy to call the shots.
Norza said: “There are vacancies in the doubles department but let’s wait and see.
“Rexy is looking at candidates, and he will propose to BAM once he has identified them,” said Norza on Saturday.
Since the arrival of Rexy late last year, the national body have parted ways with three head coaches — Chan Chong Ming (women’s doubles), Indra Wijaya (women’s singles), and Flandy Limpele (men’s doubles).
While there has been no official confirmation, it is understood that mixed doubles head coach Paulus Firman will not be extending his contract when it ends this month.
With the Asia Championships kicking off this week in Manila and the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in Bangkok a week later (as well as the Hanoi Sea Games), the national body are unlikely to hire any new faces.
However, it remains to be seen if the coaching structure would undergo another shake up before the Malaysia Open in June.
BAM’s backroom staff now consist of Rexy, Wong Choong Hann (singles coaching director), Hendrawan, Tey Seu Bock, K.Yogendran, Loh Wei Sheng (singles), Tan Bin Shen, Hoon Thien How, Lee Meng Yean, Paulus and Teo Kok Siang.
Meanwhile, Norza announced that the Super 750 Malaysia Open (June 28-July 3) and the Super 500 Malaysia Masters (July 5-10) will be making a comeback at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil after a two-year absence due to Covid-19.