SINGAPORE, 14 OCTOBER 2020 – Tanjong Pagar United have parted ways with head coach Hairi Su’ap three days before they resume action in the 2020 AIA Singapore Premier League (SPL).

 

The Jaguars announced earlier today on their social media platforms that Hairi has resigned to “pursue other interests”, with assistant coach Hasrin Jailani stepping up to fill the role until the end of the season.

 

Part of the post stated: “The Jaguars would like to thank Hairi for his contributions and wish him well for his future endeavors… Hasrin will continue to enjoy the strong support from Team Manager Noh Alam Shah, Goalkeeping Coach Rizal Rahman and Fitness Coach Hafiz Osman…The Tanjong Pagar United Management Committee has faith that Hasrin and his coaching staff can continue the good work and we look forward to more gutsy football from them.”

 

 

Hairi, 46, leaves his post just days before Tanjong Pagar host Balestier Khalsa this Saturday, 17 October, in the first of two matches of the SPL’s resumption for the current season. A defender in his playing days, Hairi was part of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) FC squad in the inaugural season of the S.LEAGUE in 1996 and went on to win the league with them in subsequent years. He coached Warriors FC’s Centre of Excellence (COE) teams and led National Football League Division 1 side Yishun Sentek Mariners to the 2018 FA Cup, before taking charge of the Jaguars for the 2020 SPL campaign.

 

 

His replacement, Hasrin, brings with him experience from a stint as head coach of Geylang International. The former Singapore international, 44, led the Eagles to a fifth-placed finish in the 2016 league standings after taking the helm at the start of that season, before leaving in mid-2017. The former Geylang midfielder, who was part of their 2001 title-winning squad, returned to the league as Hairi’s assistant at the start of the 2020 season.

 

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