Likeable Liehner
Luis Alcántara dropped a bombshell when he broke the news that he would step down from his roles as team coach and captain in another season or two, as the stress was finally getting to him. "It's been a real experience leading an S-League side, but with the honour comes the responsibility, and my doctor told me I couldn't take much more of this." Alcántara said.
There'll be an ample transition period though, and Alcántara already has had his successor brought in, dispelling speculation that Grilled would return to having a local coach, perhaps current deputy Tuan-Mu. The board instead went for 32 year-old
Marcus Liehner, a gritty German defender who played seven seasons with hometown side die Zwergen before a short spell in Switzerland with Pilatus Dragons, where he picked up Swiss and some Swedish.
"His ability to speak multiple languages will put him in good stead here," Alcántara said. "He's not got the requisite coaching badges, but we think so highly of him that we're paying for his courses here in Singapore. He'll be shacking up with Bona before we get him an apartment."
Grilled paid Pilatus Dragons S$250 000 for Liehner, and will hope that he passes his examinations in good time. Alcántara has promised that Liehner will feature in some of the earlier Cup matches, so that he can get a better feeling of the local game.
