SINGAPORE – The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) and its technical director Joseph Palatsides have mutually agreed to part ways, the national body’s president Lim Kia Tong said on Tuesday (Nov 9).
The FAS will appoint national Under-15 coach and Young Lions assistant coach Philippe Aw, 43, as the interim replacement for Palatsides, 56.
Australian Palatsides had joined FAS in 2019, and said then that he hoped to rouse local football from its slumber.
His initial two-year deal was extended in June until 2023.
He took leave in August and returned to Australia. On Tuesday during a Zoom press conference, Palatsides said the pandemic plus health and personal issues were a large part of his decision to not return to Singapore.
The former defender said he is likely to join A-League’s Melbourne Victory as their new head of academy.
FAS president Lim Kia Tong said in June that Palatsides “plays a key role in helping to develop Singapore football especially at this crucial juncture when we are establishing the foundations for the Unleash The Roar national project”.
Before his appointment in May 2019, Palatsides was the head of another A-League club Melbourne City’s youth academy.
Palatsides, who played and coached in Australia and Greece, oversaw the development of Singapore football in all aspects.
This included enhancing national age-group teams, grassroots and women’s football, as well as further strengthening the youth pipeline and coaching structures.
