Portugese national Nelo Vingada has stepped down as the national football coach after only seven months into the job.

In a statement released on the official Facebook page of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), Vingada said his decision was following discussions with FAM president Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who is also Johor crown prince.

"I take responsibility for the performance of the national team.

"With this sense of responsibility, I hereby announce to relinquish my position as national head coach with immediate effect and the Tunku president himself has also accepted my decision," he said.

Vingada said his two assistants, Joao Arnaldo Correia De Carvalho and Francisco Jose Bruto Da Costa, have also resigned as the national assistant coach and national fitness coach respectively.

"I like to take this opportunity to hope and pray for Malaysian football to shine again and that I was proud to be part of Malaysian football in this relatively short period of time," he said.

Vingada's appointment as Harimau Malaya coach was announced on May 15.

His appointment was part of an overhaul after Tunku Ismail took over FAM in March.

Since Vingada took over the national football team, it had fallen to its worst ranking in recorded history.

The national team was ranked 158th in May. It was placed 174th last month.