Slobodan Pavkovic, the Football Association of Singapore's (FAS) technical director, has resigned. The Serb's departure was announced during the FAS' AGM at Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday evening.

Pavkovic, who was appointed in April 2008, was instrumental in rolling out the National Football Syllabus in 2010. The syllabus is a 414-page coaching manual to guide budding footballers on the essential skills of the game as well as understanding the 4-2-3-1 system that the FAS hopes to implement throughout its youth and senior teams.

He also helped to revamp the Centre of Excellence (COE) system last November, streamlining the number of centres, which are run by S-League clubs, from eight to three. While the number of players produced will be lower, down from 600 to 450, it is hoped that quality of players produced will be higher through specialist coaching, sports science support and improved facilities.

Pavkovic said: "Personally, I am deeply heartened by the development of our players who have progressed through our youth development system."

He named forwards Adam Swandi and Irfan Fandi, eldest son of ex-Singapore captain Fandi Ahmad, as two youngsters with bright futures.

The 58-year-old also added that he would like to coach a club in Singapore or in the South-east Asia region.

The FAS has commenced its search for a new technical director. It said applicants must have experience leading a team to a Fifa or Uefa age-group championships, or have been the technical director of a top European club's academy.

The FAS also announced that it will be recruiting a coaching instructor tasked with grooming more quality local elite and grassroots coaches.