Football: FAS appoints Richard Tardy as head coach of national youth teams

Tardy began his coaching career as head coach of French third division side Miramas. PHOTO: FAS

The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) on Tuesday unveiled Frenchman Richard Tardy as the head coach of its national youth teams.

The 65-year-old was most recently the technical director of the Rwanda Football Association, where he also led its Under-20 and U-17 national sides, helping the latter qualify for the U-17 World Cup in 2011.

In his new post, he will report to FAS technical director Michel Sablon, and will be responsible for the preparation and implementation of its football development plans.

The Marseille native will also work with Singapore's youth coaches on the content of their training programmes. He said in a statement: "I am grateful to Michel and the FAS management for this opportunity to bring my experience to a different country.

" I am really excited to be working with Michel as he is highly regarded as one of the best technical directors around. I look forward to meeting my colleagues in the NFA teams and doing my part for Singapore football."

Sablon added: "(Richard) has extensive experience in coaching youth players who would go on to become top players. He will be able to help us implement comprehensive youth development plans that we are currently working on."

Tardy has a UEFA Pro Licence, its highest managerial qualification. A former professional footballer, he began his coaching career as head coach of French third division side Miramas before joining the French Football Federation (FFF) as assistant coach of France's national youth teams in 1979.

During his 20-year stint in the FFF, he served as an assistant to Gerard Houllier for the France outfit which won the 1996 European U-20 Championships and reached the quarter-finals of the U-20 World Cup in 1997.

He went on to manage around the world, including stints in Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, Greece and Lebanon.

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