Kedah FA coach Tan Cheng Hoe has brushed aside speculation that puts his future with the national team, insisting he is committed to the high-flying Canaries, ahead of Saturday's Malaysia FA Cup action.
The 2016 Malaysia Cup champions will be firm favourites when they welcome PKNP FC for the first leg of the quarterfinals.
Tan has been heavily linked to the Malaysian assistant coach position, supporting Mario Gomez, on social media the past week, a role which he took on with then-national coach Datuk K. Rajagobal from 2009-13.
But with Kedah topping the Malaysia Super League (MSL), and being on course for another gallant Cup run, the homegrown boss is only focused on his revolution within the so-called rice bowl state.
"The football we are playing now has been an effort for the last few years, and it will be very difficult to leave what I have started here. I am still their coach and want to continue to achieve more," Tan told ESPN FC.
He also dismissed reports that he's had recent discussions with the Crown Prince of Johor (TMJ), who was officially installed as new Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president last weekend.
He said: "The last we met was during the Charity Shield [on Jan. 20], and we only spoke about our respective teams, that's all."
Tan's swashbuckling side have scored 24 times in 10 matches. And their ability to complement their high-pressing football with late goals is emerging as a trademark quality.
Kedah have netted on eight occasions in the last 15 minutes of their games in 2017.
"If you can keep the ball well throughout the game, chances are high that the other team will tire out at the end, and you have the opportunity to score and kill off the game," Tan said.
"It is the way we have been training and learning how to pressure the opponent. Of course, you need to be fit to keep this style of football."
While Kedah have an easy tie on paper, TMJ-owned Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) face a litmus test in their title defence when they travel to Pahang for the first leg.
Both sides met in the MSL on March 3, with JDT winning 3-2 at Larkin Stadium. Pahang's Matheus Alves will once again be a danger man for Marcos Antonio and company, after the Brazilian striker breached the defending champions twice in that game.
But the Southern Tigers have yet to concede in the FA Cup in two games, and will be hoping for another shutout.
If Ahmad Hazwan Bakri and Gabriel Guerra can nick away goals, the ball would be in JDT's court when the return leg rolls along on April 23.
Other ties will see in-form Negeri Sembilan make the trip to face Sabah, while Terengganu host Sarawak in Kuala Terengganu.
FA Cup quarterfinals (First Leg, Saturday)
Pahang vs. JDT
Sabah vs. Negeri Sembilan
Kedah vs. PKNP FC
Terengganu vs. Sarawak