Subramani leaving Home

Source

SINGAPORE - Home United's S-League title aspirations took a knock when they fell 4-0 to Albirex Niigata last Saturday. The Protectors must now brace for an even bigger hit come the end of the month, when assistant coach S Subramani parts ways with the Bishan-based club.

"I have to do this now because an opportunity in the education sector has come along and if I don't take this career-development chance now, it may not come again," he told Today.

Mani, as he is affectionately known in the fraternity, moved to Home after winning the S-League Player of the Year title in 1998 with Tanjong Pagar United, and has stayed loyal to the club for the rest of his playing career that he called to a close in 2009.

He has won two S-League titles and four Singapore Cups with the club he has served as assistant coach since his retirement.

"This was not an easy decision to make, football has been my life all this while, but I could not pass up on this opportunity, and I won't rule out coming back to football in the future," added the 39-year-old Mani who has 115 caps for Singapore and a degree in Sport Management.

Said Home goalkeeper Lionel Lewis: "He's an extraordinary example of a footballer, a great captain and coach who's willing to help any one of us. That's something we'll definitely miss.

"But we know what we must do (in the league), there are nine games to go, and we have to focus."

Home general manager S Mahalingam revealed that the club will not bring in a replacement until next season, with former Korean international Kim Dae Eui taking over Mani's duties. SHAMIR OSMAN