Fandi happy to help former team mate Sundram
Sundram's ex-international teammate happy to help as part of the backroom staff
He was among the candidates considered for the national coach's job by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).
V Sundramoorthy eventually got the nod to become Singapore's first local national coach in 16 years, and Fandi Ahmad has no problems helping his former international teammate in the Lions' set-up.
Fandi is part of the coaching team that will travel with a 23-strong Singapore squad for the AYA Bank Cup in Myanmar from Friday to Monday.
He was present at Sundram's first training session yesterday at the Geylang Field, but was not involved in it as he had a personal engagement.
HAPPY
However, Fandi told The New Paper: "I'm happy to be part of the coaching staff and I'm sure I can help Sundram prepare for this and future assignments."
The future of the former national captain, who is a staff coach with the FAS and under contract until the end of the year, has been up in the air for a number of months.
After turning down an offer to coach the Garena Young Lions, an Under-21 developmental side playing in the Great Eastern-Yeo's S.League, he has been in talks with the national football body about a possible role in youth development.
But talks have stalled a number of times, and it is unclear if Fandi, who turns 54 today, will also assist Sundram at November's Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup co-hosted by Myanmar and the Philippines.
Two other members of Sundram's coaching staff, however, will more likely be by his side at the biennial tournament.
They are goalkeeper coach Frederic de Boever and fitness coach Balder Berckmans, both from Belgium.
De Boever, 35, was assistant to Guy Martens at Belgian club RKC Genk from 2012 to last year.
Martens is widely credited as the man who helped mould current Chelsea star Thibaut Courtois in his formative years, and was appointed by the FAS as consulting goalkeeper coach on a short-term deal last September.
Berckmans, meanwhile, has had attachments at clubs like Manchester City and Cologne, before working at Belgian side KV Mechelen, Saudi outfit Al Ahli and Russian club Krylia Sovetov.
The 29-year-old, who possesses a Uefa B coaching licence, was working with professional tennis player Janko Tipsarevic - who was world No. 8 in 2012 - before joining the FAS in February.
In Fandi's absence yesterday, Berckmans took up a more vocal role assisting Sundram with possession and passing drills with the players.
Sundram said he was satisfied with his coaching set-up.
"Everything is good, no issue," he said, with a smile after training. "Everybody is working with one another and it's for the same goal."
"I’m happy to be part of the coaching staff and I’m sure I can help Sundram prepare for this and future assignments."
- Fandi Ahmad (main photo)
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