FAS technical director resigns
Slobodan Pavkovic has resigned from his post as technical director of the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) to look for a new challenge.
The Serb, 58, whose main portfolio was to oversee youth development, is on the lookout for a job at club level after spending more than six years with FAS.
In a statement released by the FAS, Pavkovic said: "I have enjoyed working for the FAS and while it has been a rewarding journey, I believe it is time for me to embark on a new challenge - possibly with clubs either in Singapore or the region.
"This has been a very difficult decision to make as I have been very happy throughout my employment at FAS, which is today recognised by many as one of the top member associations in Asia.
"Over the years, many players including Harriss Harun, Safuwan Baharudin and Iqbal Hussain have progressed from the NFA age-groups to the senior national team and have also caught the attention of foreign coaches and scouts.
"We have a good pool of talented and intelligent players and I firmly believe that more will be presented with the opportunity to play overseas if we receive more support and resources to send our players to play more top-level international matches and also to train at quality facilities and pitches."
Controversy
The 58-year-old has had several controversial moments during his tenure at FAS, most notably when he was banned for pushing referee Sukhbir Singh during the Courts' Young Lions' 3-2 S.League win over Geylang in 2011 as football legends Eric Cantona and Pele watched from the stands at Jalan Besar Stadium.
In November that year, Pavkovic was handed the reins of the Singapore Under-23 squad. But they failed to make it past the group stages of the South-east Asian Games in Jakarta.
A search for Pavkovic's replacement is under way.
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