Football: Former Leeds Utd head coach linked to Lions job
Singapore football could see its biggest name ever to take charge of the Lions. Former Leeds United manager David O'Leary has been linked to the post.
SINGAPORE: Four months into the search for a new head coach, David O'Leary's name has come up as a strong contender for the post.
The Irishman played for Arsenal and Leeds United and later returned to Elland Road as a manager -- leading the club to the UEFA Champions League semi finals in 2001.
Former Manchester United player Paul Parker felt that while it was a positive move, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) would have to give him space to implement his methods.
He said: "We are talking about David O'Leary -- (he's) very very professional in what he does. He's a student of the game but he's got to be given the rope to work. There's no point in employing David O'Leary or anyone of note from Europe if you are not going to allow him to work, to do what they want to do. For clubs in this part of the world to move on, they have got to shift towards the mentality on how European sides do it."
The appointment, if it happens, is seen as a positive move for the current Suzuki Cup winners to challenge on a bigger stage.
Three-time S-League coach of the year Richard Bok said: "(He will have) big shoes to fulfil. Whoever coach is (will have) to take over and keep on winning and most importantly, like I said before, is to improve the way we play our football. If he can do that and we are successful, then I'd say we've made the right choice."
However, one local coach, Woodlands Wellington's Salim Moin, begs to differ.
He said: "What I feel is that it all depends on the strategy of the FAS, whether hiring these foreign coaches will benefit us in the future and in the long run. Or should I say (whether) getting him as the interim coach (will help in) developing our local coaches to be a future national team coach."
For now, opinions remain divided as to whether O'Leary will be the man to lead Singapore to greater footballing heights.
- CNA/ac
Football: Former Leeds Utd head coach linked to Lions job - Channel NewsAsia