INDONESIA'S Paulus Firman will certainly become one of the world's most sought-after coaches if he can inspire mixed doubles Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie to Tokyo Olympics glory next year.
Over the past one year, Paulus, who rejoined BAM in 2018, guided men's doubles Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik to their first All England final, a breakthrough in the world rankings, and the 2019 Sea Games gold medal.
Paulus, who turned 52 on Monday, is now expected to do the same, if not better, after he was made mixed doubles head coach.
Shevon said: "We all know coach Paulus. We've been around him for some time already.
"We may not be too familiar with his coaching regime, but he has helped us on and off.
"There is no doubt that he is a good coach and we have full confidence in him.
"We hope his input will take our game up a notch or two."
Paulus is no stranger in the mixed doubles arena having represented Indonesia in the 1990s before assisting former great Imelda Wiguna as a coach.
After serving the Malaysian men's doubles department for 10 months in 2013, Paulus left to become chief coach of Philippines' national team, before returning to Kuala Lumpur.
Having turned down a coaching offer from the United States national team, Paulus got his contract extended for another two years last month.
As he gears up to resume duties as a mixed doubles coach on June 1, Paulus' former junior, Flandy Limpele will take charge of the men's doubles squad.
"I've known Flandy since my playing days and as a coach in Indonesia.
"I had also coached him for a short while when I was assistant to Imelda.
"As a professional coach, I am like a soldier. Put me anywhere, and I will do my best to perform," Paulus said.
Apart from wanting to see Soon Huat-Shevon make their Olympic debut next year, Paulus is also determined to improve back-up pairs, Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah Yee See and Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei.
World No 11, Tan Kiang Meng-Lai Pei Jing are the other top pair under Paulus.
