Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Singapore: Bernd Stange, who led Iraq to the quarter-finals of the 2004 AFC Asian Cup, has been chosen to replace Raddy Avramovic as head coach of the Singapore national team.
The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) confirmed the two-year contract of the 65-year-old German coach on Wednesday and Stange’s first mission will be to prepare the ASEAN champions’ next 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualifying fixture, which is on August 14 at home to his former employers Oman.
“I have had a long and colourful career but I am always looking for challenges,” said Stange, who was Oman’s national team manager in 2001, shortly after he had won the ‘coach of the year’ award in Australia having led Perth Glory to the 2000 NSL (National Soccer League) league title before losing that year’s Grand Final on penalties.
“I’ve read about Singapore’s culture and history and I know we have great enthusiasm in football,” Stange continued in an interview with the FAS’ official website.
“I had many hours of chat and interviews with the FAS and I am really impressed by the professionalism, strategy and development programs of the football here. We have fantastic coaches and players who are enthusiastic and committed to the cause.”