PETALING JAYA, March 26 — Former National Football Development Programme (NFDP) coach instructor Lim Chuan Chin is back with FA of Malaysia (FAM).

The former national goalkeeper declined to comment why he left NFPD but said “it's nice to be back.”

The 58-year-old quit NFDP in January before returning to the national body as a goalkeeping instructor on March 9. He is also the acting coach education department head as R. Gopalkrishnan left for Sabah a couple of months ago.

Chuan Chin told Mailsport he was “going crazy” prior to rejoining FAM.

“For seven weeks I was not working and it was hell. I was going crazy. I didn't know what to do without football,” said Chuan Chin.

“I thought to myself — 'I can't be retiring young'. The most I could go without doing anything was two days. I ended up climbing 18 floors to my apartment.

“I also helped Kok Keng Lin with the Under-16 squad at Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS)."

Chuan Chin spent 18 years at FAM before leaving in October 2013. He also served as national goalkeeping coach from 1995-2007 and worked with current national goalkeepers Khairul Fahmi Che Mat and Farizal Marlias during their BJSS days.

While his expertise in the goalkeeping department is not in doubt, Chuan Chin said he needs time with the coach education department.

“I am starting from zero,” he said.

“Grassroots is important. We need coaches there. I'll even assist in coaching if need be.

“For starters, we need to get more goalkeeper coaches with AFC instructor licence. Now, it's only National Under-23's Kris Yong and myself who have it.”