JOHOR — He made his first appearance at training at Larkin Stadium last night since news broke last Saturday that he had been redesignated as assistant coach of Malaysian Super League (MSL) side Johor Darul Takzim.

But former head coach Fandi Ahmad — who only returned from a two-week trip to Chile with his sons on Tuesday — declined comment on his new role when approached yesterday. The former Singapore skipper only said: “The club will be issuing a statement in the next few days.”

Last Saturday, Johor Football Association (FA) President Ismail Ibrahim, who is also the state’s Crown Prince, had announced on his club’s Facebook page that he had appointed a “new Spanish head coach”.

A Johor FA source confirmed yesterday that former Valencia and Atletico Madrid coach Cesar Ferrando Jimenez is the man. He will be joined by two other Spaniards — Juan Manuel Lillo Diaz, who will be the MSL side’s new technical director, and a physical trainer whose name has not been revealed.

The trio will start work on Aug 18, a day after the Malaysia Cup season kicks off. “They will work with Fandi on preparing the team for the Malaysia Cup,” said the source.

“The two coaches will not be on the bench on match days as they have yet to get their licences from the Football Association of Malaysia. They have to be here physically first to apply for licences.”

The source also confirmed that former Argentina international Pablo Aimar will play for the MSL side next season. The 34-year-old, who last played for Portuguese side Benfica, has signed a US$2-million (S$2.5-million) contract for the 2014 season.

Despite splurging on big-name foreign signings like former Spain striker Daniel Guiza and ex-Lazio midfielder Simone del Nero, as well as several Malaysian internationals this season, Johor finished only third in the league and lost in the FA Cup final. DAN GUEN CHIN