This will be his second stint with the club, having guided the developmental side in 2021
SINGAPORE, 16 DECEMBER 2022 – The Young Lions are set to kick off their 2023 AIA Singapore Premier League (SPL) season under the stewardship of Philippe Aw.
The 45-year-old replaces Nazri Nasir, who has stepped down to focus on his duties as Assistant Coach of the Singapore Men’s National Team.
Aw will be taking on the reins at the Young Lions for the second time, having led the developmental side in the 2021 SPL season. His familiarity with the demands of the club and players, and track record of developing young players were the key factors that led to his appointment over the other candidates interviewed.
Aw said: “I am happy to be able to contribute in this capacity as the importance of this role cannot be underestimated. This group of players is crucial for Singapore football and it is imperative that they kick on from their early promise to hopefully becoming mainstays in the National Team in the years ahead.
“My backroom staff and I will be planning extensively to ensure each player will have a conducive and positive environment to develop in the coming season. Their off-season programmes will also be monitored to ensure they return with a certain level of fitness.
“The task ahead will be challenging, but I am very excited to start working with the boys once they are back for pre-season.”
Football Association of Singapore (FAS) Technical Director Michael Browne added: “The role of Young Lions Head Coach is an important one, and I believe that there are two main strands to the role: firstly, to ensure that the team playing in SPL games is competitive and secondly to ensure that the developmental needs of all of the players are met, regardless of whether or not they are in the matchday squad.
“Philippe has good experience in terms of player development and I am confident that his prior experience will be of great benefit in relation to this role.”
Aw has over 15 years of coaching experience. His coaching career began at Home United FC’s Centre of Excellence before he took charge of their Prime League team – whom he led to the title. Subsequently, he was appointed as Home United’s Head Coach at the end of 2014 before becoming the Head Coach of Hougang United FC three years later.
On top of his duties as Young Lions Head Coach, Aw will also remain as the FAS’ Head of Methodology, ensuring the alignment of the adopted playing philosophy across the age-group teams, under the mentorship of the FAS Technical Director, Michael Browne.
Source: Football Association of Singapore