FAS ● Jul 01, 2022
Michael Browne named as FAS Technical Director
Photo: Northern New South Wales Football
SINGAPORE, 1 JULY 2022 – The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) today announced the appointment of Michael Browne as its new FAS Technical Director (TD).
The Englishman, 63, will officially assume his new role this month and is currently finalising the move to Singapore. He will succeed Joseph Palatsides, who stepped down in December 2021 and is set to be supported by FAS Head of Methodology Philippe Aw. Aw, a coach developer and instructor who has helmed the technical department since January 2022 as the interim TD, will play a critical role to Michael and will be redesignated as the FAS’ Assistant Technical Director.
Browne will oversee the development of Singapore football in all aspects, which includes being responsible for the preparation and implementation of local football development plans. These will encompass the development of the national age-group teams, grassroots and women’s football, as well as further strengthening the youth development structure.
Appointed on a two-year contract, he will work with key stakeholders such as schools, academies, clubs, coaches and relevant government bodies to enhance the FAS’ football philosophy as well as assess and review the existing frameworks and projects. Most renowned for his time at Qatar’s Aspire Academy, where he was one of the pioneering head coaches from 2004 to 2012, Browne will also play a crucial role in the Unleash The Roar! (UTR) project by monitoring the progress of key initiatives.
“I am honoured to be entrusted with this opportunity to help shape the landscape of Singapore football, which I believe has plenty of potential and room to grow and achieve greater heights,” Browne said.
“The vision of the FAS Council and that of the UTR! project is one I share, and I look forward to building on the foundation and systems that are already being put in place. I have extensive experience of working with elite players as well as knowledge of various coaching methodologies accrued throughout my career, and I will do my utmost to help bring Singapore football to a higher level.”
FAS President Mr Lim Kia Tong said: “The selection panel was careful with its assessment process given the importance of this position. We are satisfied that Michael is the most qualified candidate to take on this critical role in the Singapore football ecosystem. He is aligned in terms of the direction and vision that we have for local football, and we are confident that he will further strengthen our development and football structure and help drive Singapore football forward. His wealth of experience also makes him an ideal mentor for the relevant Technical staff including Philippe, to emulate as they look to strengthen their own technical development skillsets.”
A UEFA Pro Licence holder, Browne served as Academy Director at English side Charlton Athletic from 1998 to 2004, before joining the famed Aspire Academy upon its establishment in 2004. As Head Football Coach and later Head of National Team Scouting, Browne helped to lay the foundations that would transform Qatar into a future continental force. Aspire graduates made up the bulk of the age-group and senior national Qatar sides, which saw them go on to lift the 2014 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-19 Championship and 2019 AFC Asian Cup trophies – both for the first time in Qatar’s history. Abdelkarim Hassan and Akram Afif, the respective AFC Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019 award winners, spent time under Browne’s mentorship.
Browne went on to serve stints as State Technical Director at Northern New South Wales Football and Technical Director at Punjab FC, where he continued to oversee and implement high performance programmes and develop talent.
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
