Ernie Merrick fires back at his critics in wake of Hong Kong's defeat by Malaysia
Head coach's response to HKFA board member Ken Ng could be a final parting shot as frustrated Scot says 'my fate will be resolved this week'
The fate of national coach Ernie Merrick is in the balance after a top official of the Hong Kong Football Association publicly criticised him and laid the responsibility for last week's demoralising 3-0 defeat of Hong Kong by Malaysia in an international friendly at his doorstep.
Merrick, a former Australian A-League coach with Melbourne Victory, was criticised by influential HKFA board member Ken Ng Kin in his personal blog, wherein he found fault with the Hong Kong coach, blaming him for using a wrong playing formation. The defeat by Malaysia extended Hong Kong's recent run of defeats under Merrick to three games.
The public critique is another blow for the government's floundering Project Phoenix, which has already seen the original chief executive officer being replaced. Merrick suggested yesterday Hong Kong might soon be looking for yet another national coach, saying "my fate will be resolved one way or another this week".
Merrick asked if Ng - who has played a main role in the appointments of important personnel including two CEOs, Merrick, a technical director and assistant coaches - was accountable.
"As the HKFA head coach, I accept responsibility for the success or failure of the senior team. I would like to ask Mr Ken Ng what he considers he should be accountable for?" asked Merrick in an e-mail sent to the South China Morning Post.
"When he [Ng] criticises the performance of the HKFA staff, plans, structures, programmes and team results, does he accept any responsibility himself?"
Ng, who is also boss of Hong Kong First Division champions Kitchee, said his blog had dwelt on the playing formation Merrick used and why a three-strong midfield comprising Kitchee players had failed to function.