Fandi to replace Tardy as SEA Games coach amid slew of changes at FAS

SINGAPORE – Following a spate of poor results, Richard Tardy has been relieved from his duties as head coach of national youth teams nine months early.

Local football icon Fandi Ahmad, 55, will take over the reins as part of a slew of personnel changes announced on Thursday (Dec 14) evening by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).

Tardy’s original deal was supposed to run till December 2018, but the 67-year-old Frenchman will now leave on March 31 instead.

The FAS announcement did not feature any statements from Tardy and Fandi, who is believed to be in England.

Under Tardy, the national Under-22 team had a disappointing SEA Games campaign in Kuala Lumpur in August. The Young Lions exited the tournament at the group stage after losing to Myanmar (0-2) and hosts Malaysia (1-2).

The age-group international teams also had a torrid year, racking up several big losses in Asian and Asean youth tournaments.

“As a result of a strategic shift in the delivery of the FAS’ youth development plans and for the preparation of the 2019 SEA Games, (Tardy) will be released early from his contract by mutual agreement,” the FAS said in a statement.

“Effective immediately, Fandi will take over the responsibilities of preparing the Young Lions for the 2018 Asian Games as well as the 2019 SEA Games.”

The FAS added that Fandi, assisted by former national team skipper Nasri Nasir, will replace veteran coach Vincent Subramaniam as head coach of the Young Lions for next season’s S.League.

Subramaniam, who took over the Young Lions in July, led the team to just one win and three draws from 24 matches to finish last in Singapore’s top flight this season. His contract has not been renewed.

"I don't know the real reason why Richard Tardy is leaving," Subramaniam told TODAY. "But the only thing I can think of is the tight budget (FAS) are working with for the new year, and that they are trying to cut cost.

"I don't think that he is leaving because of results. We didn't win many matches, but (FAS technical director) Michel Sablon is always saying we are in a transition period, and they are implementing new programmes and that will take time to deliver results.

"Overall, the management are serious about change this time, and now there are are also taking steps to change the S-League. I guess they will look at local replacements."

In addition, the FAS has decided not to renew the contracts of Under-18 staff coach Christophe Chaintreuil and Under-15 staff coach Sofiyan Hamid. The association said it has embarked on a search for replacements for the positions.

“We thank Richard, Christophe and Sofiyan for their contributions to our youth set-up throughout their time here and wish them well as they pursue new opportunities,” said FAS president Lim Kia Tong.

Veteran football official R Vengadasalam described the coaching shake-up as a "fantastic move by FAS".

"We are moving to a new era, and new people are needed to move the ideas forward. FAS is doing a lot of self renewal, and they are going in the right direction," Venga told TODAY. "At the end of the day, FAS needs results and that is why it is letting go of coaches who didn't get results. It's an obvious move because they were doing badly the whole year.

"Change is important to give the public a bit of hope. This is the correct signal to the football fraternity that the new council also wants to see results."

On Fandi, Venga added: "He is always going to be the man (for the job), and I'm sure he will do well."

Also leaving is S.League’s Director of Operations Kok Wai Leong, 65, whose contract has run out. The former general manager of nine-time S.League champions SAFFC (now Warriors FC) joined the FAS in 2012.

“We also wish Wai Leong all the best in his future endeavours,” said Mr Lim. “He has been a big part of Singapore football and we are grateful for the years of service he has dedicated to the football fraternity in Singapore.”