SINGAPORE, 18 SEPTEMBER 2015: The Football Association of Singapore today announced an extension of National Coach Bernd Stange’s contract to 15 April 2016.

 

FAS General Secretary Winston Lee said: “As we continue to strive toward our aim of qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup 2019, extending Bernd‚Äôs contract ensures continuity and leadership for the national team which has performed well in the ongoing FIFA World Cup/AFC Asian Cup joint qualifying campaign.

 

“The ExCo and Management remain confident in Bernd’s leadership and capabilities to further raise our standards and we will continue to support him and the national team fully as we prepare for the remaining five matches in the Round Two Qualifying Campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2018 and AFC Asian Cup 2019. We will review the performance of the national team after the conclusion of the qualifying campaign and will then make a further announcement.”

 

National Coach Bernd Stange said: “I’ve always emphasised my desire to remain and lead the National Team through the World Cup/Asian Cup qualifiers and I deeply appreciate the level of trust and confidence President Zainudin Nordin, the ExCo, General Secretary Winston Lee and the senior management have in me. Their support has been amazing and I will continue to do my best for Singapore.

 

“It has been a positive qualifying campaign for us and our performances in the first three matches – all of which were played away, have given us confidence that we could qualify for the AFC Asian Cup 2019.

 

“In addition to further enhancing the qualities of our players, I will also continue to work closely with, and guide, my coaching colleagues Fandi Ahmad and V. Sundramoorthy – who have demonstrated team work, respect, humility and a genuine desire to keep learning and raising their standards.”

 

Coach Stange added: “I am grateful to have a strong backroom team where all members are united and share a common goal. Together with the players, we will remain focused and prepare fully for the upcoming qualifiers which will be played at the National Stadium. I would also humbly like to request for the continued support of our stakeholders, including the fans and the media, which would strengthen our chances of success.

 

“In addition to my duties on the field, I am also actively involved in the ongoing discussions relating to the new Strategic Plan. I will use my experience – both technical and management-related experiences – and contribute to the formulation of the new plans and programmes which will further enhance the standards of Singapore football.”

 

LionsXII Head Coach Fandi Ahmad said: “The national team has built up a strong momentum since early this year and it is important that the players continue to play to their strengths – especially since we have a good chance of qualifying for the Asian Cup 2019. Hence, Coach Stange’s extension is a plus for the team. We are heading in the right direction and I will continue to support Coach Stange and the team to the best of my abilities. I am optimistic that we will achieve good results in the upcoming qualifying matches which will be played on our home ground.”

 

Forward Khairul Amri welcomed the move to extend Coach Stange’s contract.

 

“It always takes time for players to adapt to a new coach and his training and playing styles. However, my national teammates and I are now enjoying the attacking style of football under Coach Stange and this is reflected in the team’s performance in the matches we played against top teams such as Japan and Syria recently. Coach Stange and the entire backroom squad are key to the team’s chances of qualifying for the Asian Cup and it is important that we continue to stay united and work together as one family. We are happy that Coach Stange will continue to lead us in our journey towards qualifying for the top football competition in Asia.”

 

Mr Lee concluded: “Apart from his footballing philosophy and playing style, Bernd has identified and called up many young players to the national team during the past two years. Today, the average age of our national team is 26 and the majority of these national players will likely represent Singapore in major competitions over the next few years. At the same time, we will continue to place strong emphasis on the development of our young and talented players. With the ongoing revamp of our youth development structure – which is spearheaded by Technical Director Michel Sablon, we will have an expanded pool of talented players for selection to represent the country in the near future.”

 

In addition, Coach Juergen Raab will extend his contract till 31 December 2015 and will continue to work with the Courts Young Lions until the end of the 2015 Great Eastern-Yeo’s S.League season.

 

 

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE