PETALING JAYA, May 16 — Experienced coach Steve Darby has implored newly-hired Malaysian coach Portuguese tactician Nelo Vingada be given time to prove his worth.

Vingada, 64, was yesterday announced as the man to replace Datuk Ong Kim Swee, who returned to coaching the Under-22 SEA Games squad in March.

Vingada, who was handed a two-year contract, is expected to be assisted by former Kedah coach Tan Cheng Hoe.

Darby, who used to coach Johor, Perak and Kelantan, knows Vingada well after interviewing him in India when he was a sports commentator.

Vingada, also known as “The Professor”, managed NorthEast United who competed in the Indian Super League.

That was the last club he handled before being hired by FA of Malaysia (FAM).

Vingada has an interesting track record and much is expected of him.

He was the assistant to Carlos Queiroz when Portugal won the Under-20 World Cup in 1989 in Riyadh and 1991 in Lisbon.

The 64-year-old Queiroz is the current Iran coach. He also managed Portugal and Real Madrid among others.

In 1996, Vingada became Saudi Arab manager.

He helped them win the Asian Cup the same year, and masterminded their qualification to the 1998 World Cup, but was sacked prior to the tournament.

“Yes ... I have met and talked to Vingada when I was a TV commentator,” said Darby.

“From my meetings I found him a nice man, very media friendly and someone who ‘plays’ the crowd well.

“His team NorthEast United were well organised and worked hard.

“All coaches need time. Unfortunately, administrations, fans and journalists alike won’t give them that!

“In Asia you must win ... long-term is the next game.  He must be given time to prove himself.”

Vingada is proud to be given the chance to handle Malaysia although he knows it is going to be a tough job after the damage done to the team in recent years.

“I would like to thank FAM president Tunku Ismail Ibrahim for getting in touch with me and meeting me in Johor recently. It is an honour to coach the national team,” Vingada told FAM’s website.

“There is a lot of work to be done and I can’t wait to get started.“

Vingada will begin his task on May 25.

He will have less than two weeks to prepare Harimau Malaya before they play North Korea on June 8 in the 2019 Asian Cup qualifier in Pyongyang.

His first home game is against Lebanon at Larkin Stadium five days later.

Besides North Korea and Lebanon, the other team in Group B with Malaysia are Hong Kong.

Malaysia have yet to play a match in the qualifiers as the game against North Korea on March 8 had to be called after following a diplomatic row which occurred after the half-brother of North Korean president, Kim Jong-nam was assassinated at klia2 on Feb 13.

Meanwhile, Tunku Ismail said he wanted a coach who could be a teacher for the national team and coaches.

Seeing how well Vingada has done with junior and senior teams, he made the decision to approach the Portuguese.

“After seeing numerous coaches — local and foreign — my gut instinct tells me Vingada is the right man for the job.

“Time will tell if I’m right,” said the Johor Crown Prince.