Football: Fandi Ahmad takes charge of Young Lions as FAS releases SEA Games coach Richard Tardy

Fandi Ahmad (left) has been tasked to lead the Young Lions out at the 2018 Asian Games and 2019 SEA Games after FAS announced Dec 14 that Richard Tardy will be released early from his contract. PHOTOS: THE NEW PAPER

SINGAPORE - Singapore football legend Fandi Ahmad has been tasked to lead the Young Lions out at the 2018 Asian Games and 2019 SEA Games after the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced on Thursday (Dec 14) that Richard Tardy will be released early from his contract.

Tardy, the FAS' head coach of national youth teams and 2017 SEA Games coach, is among three coaches and a senior official who will leave the association.

The Frenchman, whose deal was set to run until December 2018, will exit on March 31 next year "as a result of a strategic shift in the delivery of the FAS' youth development plans and for the preparations of the 2019 SEA Games", said the FAS in a statement.

Fandi has been focusing on the development of players aged 19-23 as FAS' head coach (youth). But with immediate effect, he will also take over Tardy's responsibilities, including the development of players aged 13-18.

In addition, Singapore's record scorer will coach the Young Lions in next year's S-League. The 55-year-old will be assisted by former national captain Nazri Nasir.

Under Tardy, the national Under-22 team had a dismal SEA Games campaign in Kuala Lumpur in August. The side were eliminated during the group stage after losing to Myanmar (0-2) and hosts Malaysia (1-2).

The contracts of Under-18 staff coach Christophe Chaintreuil, and Under-15 staff coach Sofiyan Hamid, will not be renewed after they expire at the end of this month. The FAS said it has embarked on a search for replacements.

S-League director of operations Kok Wai Leong, 65, will also be leaving the FAS after six seasons.

FAS president Lim Kia Tong said: "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. In particular, we would like to extend our deepest appreciation to Richard for sharing his expertise with us and guiding the youth teams in the past two years.

"We also wish Wai Leong all the best in his future endeavours. 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."

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