He earned the necessary certification to lead a professional local club six years ago. But the opportunity never came for Khidhir Khamis, until now.
The 33-year-old will take the reins of Balestier Khalsa for the upcoming Singapore Premier League (SPL) season, after Tigers coach Marko Kraljevic left two weeks ago to coach Malaysia Premier League side Kelantan.
This makes him the youngest Singaporean head coach appointment in the 24 years of the SPL and its predecessor, the S-League which started in 1996.
Five-time champions Tampines Rovers had announced in December that they intended to appoint Gavin Lee, 28, as head coach once he gains his 'A' licence, which he will attempt to earn this year. Until then, he cannot hold the title.
The youngest local before Khidhir was Shasi Kumar, who was a year older when he led Woodlands Wellington in 2010.
Khidhir, who previously coached age-group teams at Tanjong Pagar United and Geylang International - where he also had a stint as head of their youth programme - until 2013, is relishing the opportunity to return to elite football coaching.
He had applied for several posts but "the doors just did not open", said the Victoria School alumnus, who had been coaching at schools and private academies.
He is now relishing starting on "something new and exciting" with Balestier.
Khidhir received his Asian Football Confederation 'A' Licence - which is mandatory for locals to take charge of SPL clubs - in 2013 at the age of 27. At the time, he was said to be the youngest Asean coach to hold the standard.
Balestier chairman S. Thavaneson said that eight candidates had applied for the role, half of whom were foreigners. But he had no qualms picking a local rookie to replace Kraljevic, who had been the Tigers' coach since 2014, and led the club to a first Singapore Cup that year before being named the S-League's Coach of the Year.
"Our local coaches, I think, have over the years stepped up and been able to hold their own in the SPL," said Thavaneson, who is also one of four vice-presidents in the Football Association of Singapore.
"I think more young local coaches will make the grade, provided they are given that opportunity.
"We, the management of local clubs, must have that... trust in local coaches and help them develop. Because helping them develop helps develop Singapore football too."
Khidhir knows his age will raise eyebrows. After all, he is only a year older than Balestier's oldest player, goalkeeper and captain Zaiful Nizam.
RESPECT IS KEY
It's about how you manage the players. I've made it clear that... (they should) not cross the line between player and coach, even though we are about the same age.
KHIDHIR KHAMIS, Balestier Khalsa's 33-year-old coach, on the small age "gap" between him and his players.
"It's about how you manage the players," said Khidhir, with a cool smile. "I've made it clear that... (they should) not cross the line between player and coach, even though we are about the same age.
"And I think they are professional enough to manage and handle themselves in that sense."
Khidhir, who visited the famed French training centre Clairefontaine at his own expense in 2013, plans to leverage on technology for a "more visual" approach to transferring knowledge to players. He is also exploring the feasibility of filming training sessions.
With "nothing to lose" in his first major coaching stint, he is keen to build on the work Kraljevic had done - Balestier finished sixth in the nine-team SPL last season - and try get the Tigers playing a more expansive game, although he was not ready to make any predictions yet.
Borrowing Nelson Mandela's famous quote, Khidhir said: "As far as I see it, we'll go into matches and we're either going to win, or learn."
Youngest local SPL Coach, 33, unfazed : Khidhir relishes building on the good work of his predecessor Kraljevic at Balestier Khalsa The Straits Times (Singapore) December 29, 2018
Fulham vs Manchester United: Claudio Ranieri on why Red
tellmysport.com/soccer/fulham-vs-manchester-united-claudio-ranieri-on-why-red-devils-game-wont-decide-relegation-battle/
Youngest local SPL Coach, 33, unfazed. Related Posts. 06/05/2019. The England team in their own words ahead of Women's World Cup. 06/05/2019. Portugal have penalty
An increase in SPL local coaches, but Kadir Yahaya urges for
Youngest local SPL Coach, 33, unfazed He earned the necessary certification to lead a professional local club six years ago. But the opportunity never came for Khidhir Khamis, until now.
Latest KHIDHIR KHAMIS | The Straits Times
Youngest local SPL Coach, 33, unfazed. Feb 9, 2019, 5:00 am. premium. Football: Age is just a number for Balestier Khalsa's Khidhir Khamis, youngest local coach in SPL at 33. Feb 8, 2019, 9:53 pm.
Marko Kraljevic, Analyst at Larrain Vial SA Corredora de
Young Rams Unfazed By Rain As They Prep For Saints Sequel. January 18, 2019 at 10:50 am. Filed Under: LA Rams, Rams. Their 32-year-old head coach Sean McVay,
Jayhawks Unfazed By Streak, National Ranking | News, Sports
Jayhawks Unfazed By Streak, National Ranking Local Sports. Oct 4, 2018. Jay Young Sports Reporter jyoung@post-journal.com. Head coach Ashley Lund, far left, and
Geylang midfielder Azri Suhaili, 16, is third youngest to
Salisbury City's Mikey Harris has insisted he is unconcerned by being appointed English football's youngest full-time manager. After five years as number two, the 28-year-old was confirmed as boss
Youngest local SPL Coach, 33, unfazed, Football News & Top
But Geylang International Under-18 midfielder Azri Suhaili impressed their senior team's coach Mohd Noor Ali so much that he lasted the full match, becoming the youngest player to do so in the
Mikey Harris: Salisbury manager unfazed at being youngest
Youngest local SPL Coach, 33, unfazed. New Balestier Khalsa coach Khidhir Khamis was selected from eight candidates, half of them foreigners, who applied for the post. He is the youngest head
Youngest local SPL Coach, 33, unfazed - theworldnews.net
An increase in SPL local coaches, but Kadir Yahaya urges for honour and respect the veteran who now coaches at St Joseph Institution is excited by the prospect of another talented young coach
Young Rams Unfazed By Rain As They Prep For Saints Sequel
No comments:
Post a Comment