Sablon set to be unveiled as FAS technical director
Sources have confirmed that Belgian Michel Sablon is set be unveiled as the Football Association of Sinngapore's (FAS) new Technical Director.
Sablon, who took over as acting technical director of the Belgian Football Association in 2001, is the man credited with revolutionising youth development in Belgian football.
He will take over the post vacated by Serb Slobodan Pavkovic, who designed and implemented the National Football Syllabus.
FAS is expected to make on official statement on the Sablon signing imminently.
Coup
The move will be a massive coup for the sport in Singapore, especially with the recent slump that has seen no Singapore national side claim a single win in all of 2015.
Belgium's meteoric rise in world football was kick-started by Sablon in 2006 when he submitted a blueprint titled “La vision de formation de l’URBSFA”, a "vision" for Belgian football.
It signalled the start of changes to Belgium's youth development programme that saw the implementation of the 4-3-3 formation at youth levels, one that is believed to provide the best learning environment for young footballers.
Small-sided games were implemented to create an environment for young players to practice skills and develop game intelligence.
The Belgian system saw the federation have direct influence on the development of players that have grown into what is now deemed the golden generation of the country with only 11 million inhabitants and 34 professional football clubs.
Player success
Players the likes of Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany and Romelu Lukaku have gone on to star for various English clubs while also donning the Belgium shirt with pride.
The Red Devils made it to the quarter-finals of the 2014 Fifa World Cup, where they were beaten by finalists Argentina.
Ranked 153rd in the world, Singapore have never qualified for the finals of the World Cup, only making it as far as the third round of qualification.
Related story: FAS confirm Sablon appointment
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