Monday, October 21, 2013
From Blackburn To Brunei
SINGAPORE — Former Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean has been named as the new head coach of Brunei DPMM FC, the club announced on their website late on Saturday.
The 46-year-old Scot arrives on a one-year contract and replaces Vjeran Simunic, who had two spells (2008-09 and 2011-2013) in charge of DPMM. Simunic led DPMM to the StarHub League Cup and a second place finish in the Great Eastern-Yeo’s S-League last year, feats that won him the Coach of the Year award for 2012.
DPMM failed to finish in the top half of the 12-team S-League after two rounds of league play this season, relegating them to the mini-competition for clubs in the bottom half. Failure to defend the League Cup and a quarter-final exit from the RHB Singapore Cup led to Simunic announcing his departure at the end of the season.
Kean is famously known for keeping Blackburn in the English top flight following the sacking of Sam Allardyce in December 2010 by new Indian owners Venky’s.
Initially handed the Rovers managership on an interim basis, Kean was given a permanent contract a month later, although his 21-month spell was unpopular and often controversial, with the club relegated after the 2011-12 season.
Though tasked to lead the club back to the top flight, Kean left Ewood Park last September claiming he had been “forced to resign”.
DPMM are set to continue their participation in the S-League with a signing ceremony scheduled for tomorrow at the Jalan Besar Stadium between the club and the Football Association of Singapore.
COMMENT - from the frying pan to the fire?
DPMM hosted Hougang United on Saturday and won 1-0. After the game current coach, Vjeran Simunic described the line up that earned the narrow win as his favourite DPMM line up. Was he waxing lyrical?
DPMM hosted Hougang United on Saturday and won 1-0. After the game current coach, Vjeran Simunic described the line up that earned the narrow win as his favourite DPMM line up. Was he waxing lyrical?
# posted by Me @ 6:16 AM 
