Playing in the nation's second tier, Sabah are one of Malaysia's two major sides from East Malaysia on the massive island of Borneo. The state is better known for its diving spots and spectacular hikes up Mount Kinabalu, but Mulvey wants to help reinvigorate its fading football tradition. Sabah haven't won the Malaysian top flight since 1996. Their last Malaysia Cup success came the season before, when ex-Socceroo Scott Ollerenshaw was the league's top striker. It was Kota Kinabalu-based Ollerenshaw who approached Mulvey soon after he was sacked by Brisbane. "At first I was lukewarm [on the idea of joining Sabah] as I was committed to a period of self-education in Europe, but I was taken with their ambition and desire to improve the club," he said. "I have no doubt that Sabah can make enough improvements on and off the field to go to the next level." Mulvey arrived with the club scrambling after the abrupt departure of Irishman George O'Callaghan, who had been appointed head coach for the 2015 season but had been sacked for missing training, according to the club. Local coach Justin Ganai stepped in to take over as manager for a third time, with Mulvey's support.

Borneo is probably the last place that Mulvey expected to find himself as he tried his luck as a youth player at both Oldham Athletic and Manchester United. That was before, as he puts it, "getting a tap on the shoulder to tell me, thanks, but no thanks". Arriving in Queensland at the age of 19, Mulvey played for Brisbane Lions in the National Soccer League. But it was as a coach in the so-called Sunshine State where he made a name for himself, guiding Queensland's women to four Australian titles and the men of the now defunct Gold Coast United to two National Youth League crowns. When he took over at Brisbane Roar in December 2012, some of the Suncorp faithful weren't happy, starting a "Mulvey Out" campaign, even before he'd been given the job on a full-time basis. The fans feared that a British coach would turn the page on Roar's renowned passing game to play route one football. The fears proved to be unfounded as Roar were both stylish and successful, winning their second Premier's Plate – by 10 points – and their third A-League championship in Mulvey's first full season in charge. "It's very simple: you have to let your football do the talking," he said. "Winning is a good philosophy. If you can do it in style, that's even better. Perceptions are just a thought generated by media comments or people talking football in a pub or around the breakfast table."

Certainly the common perception of Sabah's star import El Hadji Diouf is that the former Senegal forward and 2002 World Cup All-Star can be trouble. Liverpool fans will remember the infamous 2003 UEFA Cup incident when he spat at a Celtic supporter at Parkhead – along with his modest return of six goals from 80 appearances. But so far, Mulvey has only positive things to say about the 34-year-old, who has scored three times in three league matches since joining from Leeds United. "El Hadji is competitive and wants to win. That's what I like about him. He has a good work ethic and undoubtedly his experience and quality on the ball can make a big difference in the Malaysian league." Diouf's former Senegal national teammate Abdoulaye Faye, who played eight seasons in the English Premier League with the likes of Newcastle United and Hull City, is Sabah's other big-name recruit. Mulvey got a glimpse of life in the Premier League when he was invited to spend two days with the City Football Group – which controls Manchester City – last month.