Ipong replaced Dananjaya at Jakarta FC

Season 7 of Indonesian League has taken yet another 'victim.' After Risdianto at Petrokimia Gresik and Andi Lala at Persija Jakarta, it is now Dananjaya's turn at Jakarta FC to be 'rested.' The club's head coach position will now be filled by Ipong Silalahi.

According to Jakarta FC's Managing Director, GH Sutejo, after an evaluation of 10 matches so far in the league, the board finally decided to relieve Dananjaya from his role as the club's headcoach, and assign him to work as the club's technical director. This decision has been officially made and stamped on Sunday, 11th of March 2001.

"We're not firing Mr. Dananjaya, but only relocating his job. As for the assistant coaches, it will still be Ponirin Meka and Safruddin Fabanyo," said Sutejo.

Sutejo said that decision was made to save Jakarta FC from going even further down the competition. The team is still struggling in the lower half of the Western Conference.

"Dananjaya's achievement in Jakarta FC is not a shameful one. We're just worried that it's going to get worse as the season wears on. That's why we hired Ipong Silalahi to manage the team for the rest of the season. His quality has been proven, because he was the one who pulled this team together last season and brought us to the playoffs," continued Sutejo.

Dananjaya himself was the assistant to national team head coach Nandar Iskandar for 2000 Asian Cup in Lebanon, and when Nandar was sacked during 2000 Tiger Cup in Thailand, Dananjaya took over the team and brought Indonesia to the final.

He wholeheartedly accepts the board's decision to relocate him.

He said, "There's no problem with my new job. We will work together and Ipong has a wealth of experience with this team. I'm a professional. My contract will be up at the end of the season, and before that time arrives, I will do my best for the team."

from: Media Indonesia