SINGAPORE — Home United’s (HUFC) Technical Director (TD) Adlane Messelem has had his credentials questioned after it emerged that he had been working for the Protectors for the past two years without any coaching qualifications.

TODAY understands the Algeria-born Frenchman, who is responsible for overseeing the coaching operations of the Home United Youth Football Academy (HYFA), and ensuring each young trainee receives a proper football education, had admitted to colleagues he does not have even the basic coaching qualifications.

Most professional football clubs require their Technical Directors to have at least an “A” coaching licence although a “Pro” Licence is preferred.

HUFC’s website says Messelem had helped to “set up the Paris Saint Germain Academy in Miami, USA”. He was also the “Performance Consultant for French Ligue 1 club RC Lens” before he joined HUFC in 2014.

A check on Messelem’s LinkedIn profile, however, shows him listing his previous role as the Associate Director of Ideology Concept and Entertainment, which appears to be a sports and entertainment events company.

His other listed job was as the manager of Art Move Concept, which he described in his profile as a “Hip Hop dance company”.

In response to TODAY’s queries, HUFC said in a statement: “Since 2013, the club has embarked on a pioneering project, committing significant resources into its youth development programme.

“The programme’s success can be seen in HUFC’s success at youth and U21 level, both via results in competitions, as well as the players that have come through the system and represented the club and country at various senior level and international tournaments respectively. 
“Adlane was recruited as part of this effort so as to develop a youth development programme based on the overall best practices in top academies across Europe. His connectivity within these clubs has been invaluable in allowing HUFC to expand its footprint and access to the highest standards of youth development.

“He was supported in this effort by Steve Vilmiaire, himself a top youth coach with the UEFA “A” Licence. “This initiative is undertaken by HUFC at its own discretion and as such, gives the club full autonomy in managing its staffing structure and the hiring of key personnel.” 
HUFC said this has resulted in “the development of a comprehensive framework addressing many different aspects of football-related development, tracking, testing and remediation that will be of pivotal use to the club, moving forward.”
The club, however, did not address TODAY’s query on what coaching licences and coaching experience Messelem has.

TODAY understands Messelem is leaving HUFC soon as his contract coming to an end. HUFC, however, did not address TODAY’s query on why it is not renewing Messelem’s contract.

Messelem’s qualifications were first called into question by former Singapore international Tan Kim Leng last Friday. He had written on the club’s Facebook page to ask for verification of its TD’s pro-licence coaching certificate.

This sparked an exchange between Tan and Messelem on Facebook.

Defending his credentials, Messelem wrote: “If you (Tan) need any proof, I’ll be more than happy to show (you) the work that has been done…by the way, I’m not in charge of the kids academy, so you can definitely send your kids to our local ‘A’ licence coaches at HUFC.”

He added in another post: “HUFC as an institution had made all the necessary investigations before hiring me as a TD…if you really want the best for your kids, maybe you should ask for the yearly program and evaluations more than licences. From my side, I’m not really into sharing my skills or qualifications on social media.

“By the way, I am qualified and even have testimonial letters from eight different academies all around the world as record of my past involvement in kids’ development.”

He then directed Tan to email the club if he wanted any answers.

Tan replied on Facebook: “All I’m asking is if you are qualified and have the necessary qualifications as proof… Home United website stated that you are in charge of the youth academy…and I have the right to check if my son is trained under qualified coaches.

“Testimonials doesn’t mean you are qualified.”

Former HUFC and Sengkang Punggol goalkeeper Amos Boon also weighed in on the debate.

“Home United should have done their due diligence,” said the retired player, who is now a businessman.

“We can’t have our kids in the hands of inexperienced officials. I’m sure most parents will be concerned. I wonder how the Home United management allowed something like this to slip through.”

HUFC said, however, that it needs to take innovative steps “to continue its good work in the development of youth” to produce a bigger pool of quality players for Singapore.

“HUFC is proud to say that it has developed among the nation’s best functional and infrastructural capabilities for youth development and remain committed to do so, for the coming future,” said the club.