Former national defender Kadir Yahaya taken on a lead foreign coaching role for the first time in his football career, more than 12 years after he left Indonesia’s Pelita Jaya as their assistant coach in 2010.
At that point, Fandi Ahmad was Pelita’s head coach.
The defender, who was a member of Singapore’s 1994 Malaysia League and Cup double winning side and a member of Singapore’s 1998 Tiger Cup-winning side (see photo below), has signed a two-year contract with 2021 Thai League 1 champions BG Pathum as its Head of Youth Football.
Singapore Lions Ikhsan Fandi and Irfan Fandi are currently part of the team.
Kadir will also work with former Thai International Surachai Jaturapattarapong, a former S-League and Singapore Cup winner with Home United.
Prior to joining BG Pathum, Kadir spent 10 years at St Joseph’s Institution where he was in charge of the players across all divisions.
He also assisted Jita Singh in Singapore’s 2010 Youth Olympic Games football run which led to a bronze medal.
“The time is finally right for me to take on this challenge,” Kadir told the Straits Times.
“It’s a big decision but one that I am confident about.
“The club has an exciting project and wants to develop youths in Bangkok and the provincial areas.
“I was brought on a tour of the facilities here and had a long chat with people at the club about their plans and it felt right for me from the start.”
MAIN PHOTO: BG PATHUM/STRAITS TIMES