Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) are in talks with two potential candidates for the national head coach position, but have indicated they will not break the bank to secure a big name for the hot seat.
The so-called TMJ revolution -- the Crown Prince of Johor took over as FAM president in March -- has yet to produce much in terms of discernible results, despite much fanfare and many bold promises.
Malaysia's next international matches are now only one month away.
"For the time being there is a candidate from Portugal, and another will meet with the President (TMJ) in the next few days. His Royal Highness doesn't want to say too much to the media, because the matter cannot be disclosed yet," said FAM secretary general Datuk Hamidin Amin via a Facebook posting.
"We need to look for a coach for a penniless organisation, and the president himself has helped out with his own money."
Last month, TMJ revealed that FAM are RM40 million in debt after being installed as president on March 25.
It was also the reason why FAM could not bring on former Johor Darul Ta'zim coach Mario Gomez, despite TMJ announcing that the Argentine would be the next national boss. Gomez had reportedly asked for a higher monthly salary than the $25,000 (RM108,000) offered.
The new FAM hierarchy are running out of time to install a new coach for a crucial few months of international football.
Malaysia will kick start their AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in a rescheduled match against North Korea on June 8, before they host Lebanon five days later in Group B.
For now, FAM have yet to recruit any coaching officials to the senior squad.
Tan Cheng Hoe is understood to be waiting to have contract talks with the national body after officially leaving Kedah last Sunday.
Tan is expected to be offered the assistant position, alongside a head coach who will need to tick many boxes, while working for a modest salary.
"If we want to look for a coach, not only do we need to look for someone with a good background, but also someone who will accept our offer," Datuk Hamidin Amin said.
"Do take note that our offer isn't huge because FAM is broke. Many didn't know that the president had used his own money to increase the budget to appoint and get a better coach."
The new candidate would replace Datuk Ong Kim Swee, who was bumped down to take charge of the under-23 team.
Meanwhile, ex-JDT and Kelantan head coach Bojan Hodak, who was a finalist for the job when Ong was appointed in January 2016, waits in the wings in Penang.