Local football icon Fandi Ahmad has been named the Football Association of Singapore’s (FAS) new head coach of youth.
The announcement was made by FAS vice-president Edwin Tong during a media conference on Tuesday (Oct 4).
Fandi has signed a three-year plus three contract with the FAS.
He will take charge of the 2018 Asian Games, 2019 and 2021 SEA Games and Tokyo 2020 Olympic teams.
The 54-year-old’s current contract as FAS staff coach is set to end in December.
The Straits Times had reported last month that Fandi was understood to be mulling over an offer from Malaysia Super League side Pahang FA. He had played for the state team in 1991 and 1992, winning the Malaysian league and Malaysia Cup double in 1992.
On talk regarding that possibility, Fandi said “the links to Pahang were serious but my heart was always to stay in Singapore”.
The former national football captain had also previously coached the Young Lions, then the national Under-23 team, from 2003 to 2006, leading them to two third-placed finishes in the S-League – their best-ever showing.
He rejoined the FAS in late 2013, succeeding current national caretaker coach V. Sundramoorthy as coach of the now-defunct LionsXII. Last year, he led the team to victory in the Malaysia FA Cup.
On his long-held ambition to coach the senior team, Fandi said: “I still want to coach the national team but maybe in four or five years when this project is over.”
National youth coach Richard Tardy will remain in charge of the 13- to 18-year-olds, while Fandi will work with those aged 18 to 23 in his new role.
Source: The Straits Times
