SINGAPORE - Singapore football legend Fandi Ahmad is reportedly close to leaving the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) fold, 33 months after he was hired as coach of the now-defunct LionsXII.

Fandi, whose contract with the FAS ends in December, is said to be mulling a lucrative offer from Malaysian Super League (MSL) side Pahang FA, whom he played for from 1991 to 1992. He also has a good relationship with the Pahang FA president.

Pahang have set Friday (Sept 9) as the deadline for Fandi to accept their offer.

It is believed that Fandi, currently an FAS staff coach, would prefer to stay - but only if the FAS backs his long-term plan for national youth teams over several major Games.

He is also helping national caretaker coach V. Sundramoorthy with the senior team.

The FAS is planning a last-minute meeting on Thursday (Sept 8) to persuade Fandi to stay.

The 54-year-old, currently in Indonesia on a scouting trip, could not be reached for comment.

An FAS spokesman said: "The FAS has been in talks with Fandi for several months. We see Fandi continuing to play an important and significant role in Singapore football but it is premature to comment as our talks are still ongoing."

Should Fandi leave, this will mark the end of his second stint in the FAS fold, having previously coached S-League side the Young Lions, a developmental squad, from 2003 to 2006.

He guided them to two third-placed finishes - their best showings to date.

He subsequently spent six years coaching Pelita Raya in Indonesia and Johor Darul Takzim in Malaysia, before returning as coach of the LionsXII, taking over from Sundram.

The LionsXII played in the MSL from 2012 to last year.

Fandi's crowning achievement with the LionsXII came last year, when he won the Malaysia FA Cup. The LionsXII were booted out of the MSL after last year's campaign.

The former national captain's also coached S-League club SAFFC (now known as Warriors FC), guiding them to two S-League titles.