SINGAPORE - Former national football coach Hussein Aljunied died on Saturday. He was 73.

The Football Association of Singapore confirmed news of his passing on its website.

Hussein was the national coach from 1984 to 1986. He led the Lions to the Malaysia League title in 1985 and also to the SEA Games final that same year.

It is believed that he had been critically ill with a serious lung infection and had been warded at the Singapore General Hospital. He left behind his wife, a son, three daughters and 10 grandchildren.

The FAS said it was saddened by his passing, adding: "Our thoughts are with Mr Hussein's family in this difficult time."

Singapore Athletic Association vice-president (competitions organising) Loh Chan Pew, who was good friends with Hussein, was among the first to pay tribute.

"We were very close. Even though I was in track and he was a footballer, we trained together and became close friends until today. So I'm very sad," said Loh, a veteran athletics coach.

"He was open-minded and mixed around with all the races. We were like family.

"Every year at Hari Raya, he'd invite me to his house. And Chinese New Year, he would ask his grand-daughter to bring cake to my house.

"He was a wonderful parent and grandparent, teaching the right values to the younger generation.

"He was one of the pioneer coaches who did that - develop those values in the young and you can see that in his granddaughter (Amirah Aljunied), who is under me."