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Fans lament Sundram’s short-term deal, but ex-Lions say it’s fair

SINGAPORE — V Sundramoorthy is set to be Singapore’s first local ­national football coach in 16 years, but it ­appears some local fans are still ­unhappy — not with his appointment, but with the duration of his contract.

National head coach V Sundramoorthy's target following the extension of his contract, will be to lead the Lions to a top-two finish in their Asian Cup qualifying group. TODAY file photo

National head coach V Sundramoorthy's target following the extension of his contract, will be to lead the Lions to a top-two finish in their Asian Cup qualifying group. TODAY file photo

SINGAPORE — V Sundramoorthy is set to be Singapore’s first local ­national football coach in 16 years, but it ­appears some local fans are still ­unhappy — not with his appointment, but with the duration of his contract.

TODAY reported on Monday (May 16) that the Tampines Rovers coach will be given a one-year deal by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) starting next month, but many fans have taken to social media to voice their displeasure at the short-term contract.

Commenting on TODAY’s Facebook page, Chee Junn Yeow suggested that the FAS is merely using Sundram as a temporary fix before they appoint a foreign coach again.

“One year is barely enough for ­anyone to do anything constructive,” he said. “I think many would agree (that the) FAS is buying time to find a foreigner coach.”

It is believed the FAS had initially shortlisted three European coaches for the national coach post, only to decide to give Sundram the chance to lead Singapore on a permanent basis. His first assignment will be a friendly quadrangular in Myanmar next month, before his big test in ­November’s Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup.

Another reader, Royston Soon, questioned: “If they had engaged a European coach instead, would it still be one-year only?”

Sundram’s predecessor, German Bernd Stange, was given a three-year-contract, while Serbian Raddy Avramovic started off his decade-long stint with a two-and-a-half-year contract.

Netizen Tim Teo believes this shows the FAS’ lack of ambition and trust in local coaches.

“Many neighbouring countries are appointing ex-players as (national) coach rather than appointing a foreign coach. Look at Thailand and Malaysia. They are doing well (with local coaches at the helm),” he said.

However, former Singapore ­internationals TODAY spoke to ­believe Sundram’s one-year contract is a fair deal. Said former Singapore captain Razali Saad: “There’s no point offering a 3-4 year contract because what happens if he doesn’t fare as well as expected in his first few assignments and is replaced? It will not bode well for his reputation.”

The 51-year-old added that comparing his short-term contract to the likes of Stange and Raddy is not justified. “If you offer a foreign coach one year, I doubt they would want to take the job,” he said. “This current deal is fair for both the FAS and Sundram, and a decision to extend his contract or not should only be made based on his performances in upcoming tournaments.”

Former Lions winger Steven Tan agrees.

“I believe the FAS know what they are doing and will look at the results in the next few months, especially at the Suzuki Cup, to decide whether he deserves a contract extension,” he said. “What is important is the FAS gives him the support he needs during his tenure before any further decision is made.”

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